How do I become a NICU nurse?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 2, 2011

If you are not already a nurse, you would need to graduate from a school of nursing, apply to a hospital new graduate residency for NICU, and hope that you are accepted. NICU is a very competitive area to get hired into.

I am moving this post to the NICU forum for more responses.

sophistomommaRN · Jun 1, 2011

I'd agree the area is hard to get into now. You could do things while in nursing school to help build experience in NICU. You could take an extern position or request experiences in NICU during the program. Requesting a NICU rotation (124 hours worth) during senior year is the only reason I was considered for an upcoming NICU interview in a few weeks...NICU is hard to get into as an experienced nurse or new nurse.

Also, once you begin nursing school, perhaps you could see if a NICU job shadow could be arranged with the management/hospital. Nursing instructors are good at helping out with this. That way, you can be sure about dedicating to the specialized area. HTH!

RCON2011 · Jun 2, 2011

NICU is definitely a specialty area, & you will often hear that you need med/surg experience before trying to get a job in a specialty area. You will get different opinions on this, so take what you can from them. I am about to graduate from a BSN program & hope to get into OB, also a specialty. I think if you are passionate about an area, you should do what was mentioned already...try to shadow nurses in this area, request nursery/NICU clinical rotations while you're in school, & also make your teachers aware of your interest. Try to be open minded to other areas though, & learn everything you can from each experience...even if you think you would never work in an area! Use every clinical to help you prepare for boards.

As one getting ready to complete my second bachelor's, (with a 12 year gap between degrees!) I admire your enthusiasm! Go for it!