How Soon To Specialize

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I am a student nurse, graduating with an Association Degree this December. I am planning on going farther (my BSN) ASAP and then specializing. The question for those of you RNs with experience, is should I spend X amount of time on the floor, getting my feet wet or immediately start heading in the direction of what I would like to specialize in?

Your input is greatly appreciated!

Hi!!

I think you should follow your heart. I graduated last December with my Associates Degree in Nursing and I will be starting my dream job, in the NICU! And I also got offered a second RN position in a different hospital in the NICU as well. So many people discouraged me from going for my dream of becoming a NICU RN and they would always say "No one will hire you in the NICU as a new grad". But I followed my heart and I did not regret a moment of doing so :) But I did apply for every and any RN job I could find. I'm just happy my job search ended the way it did. Good luck!!

hi CrisNICURN! I'm on this site all the time and wanting to ask you a question finally inspired me to get a user I'd :) I graduate in the spring with a bsn in n.cal. I too am told there's no way I'll get a job right away in the NICU. I'm nervous because I have a mortgage and family so can't wait months and months to get a job but at the same time, being a NICU nurse is why I'm in nursing school. I really want to precept in the NICU thinking that may be my best chance of getting a chance (because I'll have experience). Do you agree? Any other advice?

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Specializes in NICU.
hi CrisNICURN! I'm on this site all the time and wanting to ask you a question finally inspired me to get a user I'd :) I graduate in the spring with a bsn in n.cal. I too am told there's no way I'll get a job right away in the NICU. I'm nervous because I have a mortgage and family so can't wait months and months to get a job but at the same time, being a NICU nurse is why I'm in nursing school. I really want to precept in the NICU thinking that may be my best chance of getting a chance (because I'll have experience). Do you agree? Any other advice?

Hi jp2012grad!! You already have a leg up on me, you will be graduating with a BSN. I will tell you, one of the main things I noticed when I applied to different hospitals is that most hospitals in my area preferred someone with their BSN, experience, or both. You precepting in the NICU and graduating with a BSN, in my personal opinion, will definitely help you. I too was graduating needing to find a job asap due to having a family and having bills, etc. I applied to EVERY job I could find, whether it was med/surg (even though I wanted to stay away from med/surg), NICU, LTC, OR, tele, home health, etc, etc. My heart was definitely in the NICU but I knew I couldn't be picky when it came down to it. And my school would not let anyone precept in certain areas, we were not allowed to precept in the NICU. All through nursing school I did extra things outside of nursing school. I started volunteering in a NICU (they hired me :)), I started taking NICU classes at the hospital I was volunteering at, and I took NRP. I had several friends who also wanted the NICU so I told them everything I was doing and no one else wanted to do it because they didn't think it would help them because like I said before, we were always told NICUs don't really hire new grads, and if they do they will be looking for BSNs first. I say go for what you want, because even if things don't happen the way you would like, at least you know you tried so you won't have to wonder "What if I did this" and "What if I did that". I will never regret my decision to put myself into the NICU fully, doing everything I could to get in, even though it was stressful because I was doing all this during nursing school (nursing school is stressful enough!), but I'm happy I did all that I did. And when I interviewed for the NICU positions, they saw everything I did. They knew that just because I took these classes did not mean I was proficient in NICU nursing, they were more interested in my motivation and because I was a new grad I have not had the chance to develop any bad habits and that they could mold me. Good luck with everything :) Let me know if you have any other questions!

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Hi jp2012grad!! You already have a leg up on me, you will be graduating with a BSN. I will tell you, one of the main things I noticed when I applied to different hospitals is that most hospitals in my area preferred someone with their BSN, experience, or both. You precepting in the NICU and graduating with a BSN, in my personal opinion, will definitely help you. I too was graduating needing to find a job asap due to having a family and having bills, etc. I applied to EVERY job I could find, whether it was med/surg (even though I wanted to stay away from med/surg), NICU, LTC, OR, tele, home health, etc, etc. My heart was definitely in the NICU but I knew I couldn't be picky when it came down to it. And my school would not let anyone precept in certain areas, we were not allowed to precept in the NICU. All through nursing school I did extra things outside of nursing school. I started volunteering in a NICU (they hired me :)), I started taking NICU classes at the hospital I was volunteering at, and I took NRP. I had several friends who also wanted the NICU so I told them everything I was doing and no one else wanted to do it because they didn't think it would help them because like I said before, we were always told NICUs don't really hire new grads, and if they do they will be looking for BSNs first. I say go for what you want, because even if things don't happen the way you would like, at least you know you tried so you won't have to wonder "What if I did this" and "What if I did that". I will never regret my decision to put myself into the NICU fully, doing everything I could to get in, even though it was stressful because I was doing all this during nursing school (nursing school is stressful enough!), but I'm happy I did all that I did. And when I interviewed for the NICU positions, they saw everything I did. They knew that just because I took these classes did not mean I was proficient in NICU nursing, they were more interested in my motivation and because I was a new grad I have not had the chance to develop any bad habits and that they could mold me. Good luck with everything :) Let me know if you have any other questions!

CrisNICURN: Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and providing fantastic information. I will take and apply all of your fabulous suggestions! I don't know why it didn't occur to me to volunteer in the NICU and I didn't even know hospitals provided classes! I'm incredibly happy for you that you were given the opportunity to work in the department you love. Hopefully, I can be as fortunate in the near future. Thanks again!

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Specializes in NICU.
CrisNICURN: Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and providing fantastic information. I will take and apply all of your fabulous suggestions! I don't know why it didn't occur to me to volunteer in the NICU and I didn't even know hospitals provided classes! I'm incredibly happy for you that you were given the opportunity to work in the department you love. Hopefully, I can be as fortunate in the near future. Thanks again!

No problem jp2012grad! I don't think every hospital offers NICU classes, I got lucky and got to sit in on them because they knew I was interested :) It definitely doesn't hurt to call around and see who offers it!

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Hi... I've been reading your posts. I'm in the Northeast and in my third year of my BSN program. I am also volunteering at a hospital to kind of get my foot in the door. I think it definately helps. If a job opening comes up once you graduate and you apply for it along with someone they don't know, of course they will hire you... if they liked you. :)

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Keep an open mind. I always wanted to work pediatrics when I was in school. I got out, and could only get into neuro (and I really liked it). I did all sorts of nursing- and learned from each of them. When I got into pediatrics 17 years later, I hated a lot about it.

Just keep an open mind :)

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Specializes in NICU.

@CrisNICURN

Hi CrisNICURN! I followed your posting from the LAC thread. I know your postings in this thread are not directed to me, but you have no idea how much I felt encouraged by your message and I just wanted to say THANK YOU.

It's been very tough finding a job in NICU as a new grad RN. But my heart belongs in NICU, and no amount of tears, pain and depression I have to endure during this very difficult job searching process cannot make me want to give up my dream!

I just applied to LAC and I am hoping to get into NICU there just like you. I have so many questions I'd like to ask you. I wish I could send you a private message but I don't seem to be able to..

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Specializes in NICU.
@CrisNICURN

Hi CrisNICURN! I followed your posting from the LAC thread. I know your postings in this thread are not directed to me, but you have no idea how much I felt encouraged by your message and I just wanted to say THANK YOU.

It's been very tough finding a job in NICU as a new grad RN. But my heart belongs in NICU, and no amount of tears, pain and depression I have to endure during this very difficult job searching process cannot make me want to give up my dream!

I just applied to LAC and I am hoping to get into NICU there just like you. I have so many questions I'd like to ask you. I wish I could send you a private message but I don't seem to be able to..

Hi Daisy!! I just got your message but I can't respond to private messages yet. Can you message me your email then I can write back to you :)

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To NearlyanRn,

Here's what I would do:

Apply for your dream job positions for awhile (set a time limit as to number of weeks/months that you can tolerate waiting).

If nothing comes of that, think about what other specialties you are interested in, and apply to those as well as your dream job. Set a time limit for that, too.

If still nothing comes of it, think about what jobs you could *tolerate* and apply to those, as well as the above.

I would NOT apply to "any and all jobs" (including the ones you "hate" or you know you would be unsuited for) unless you have a serious, serious need for money. Because once you get into a job you should preferably stay for AT LEAST six months and preferably 1-2 years, any less makes you look "bad" and "risky" for future employment. Which could lead to the whole I-need-a-job scenario starting all over again if you leave your position (this time with less chance of employment).

Hope this helps- the job markey is stinky but just keep plugging and don't give up :)

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