How to transition Cardiac adult to NICU

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 18, 2017

Hello all :)
I have been a nurse on an adult intermediate cardiac care floor for a little over a year now. I have always had a passion for babies but I began as a tech on my current floor and just smoothly transitioned into a RN role and decided to gain some experience on this floor before trying to transition into neonatal. I am looking to start applying for NICU though I know it can be very hard to get into without any neonatal experience. But this is really what I want to do. Any recommendations from anyone?

As a cardiac nurse, I'm going to urge you to stay another year in your first job. It takes about two years to become competent. In the meantime, join a hospital committee and do some networking. Make sure your ACLS is up to date. Get a PALS or NRP certification. Perhaps meet the NICU manager or some of the staff. Another year on cardiac will go fast, and you'll be a fully competent ICU nurse when you begin making your transition to the tiny people unit.

babyNP., APRN · Mar 18, 2017

As a cardiac nurse, I'm going to urge you to stay another year in your first job. It takes about two years to become competent. In the meantime, join a hospital committee and do some networking. Make sure your ACLS is up to date. Get a PALS or NRP certification. Perhaps meet the NICU manager or some of the staff. Another year on cardiac will go fast, and you'll be a fully competent ICU nurse when you begin making your transition to the tiny people unit.

ACLS and PALs won't help unless you're going into a children's NICU where the patients can be on the older side.

As for experience...

For your employer, 2 years is good to give them for your orientation for the return on investment. But...unlearning adults can be a harder thing for experienced nurses and (at least in academic centers), being a new grad RN is easier than being an experienced adult RN.