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Discussion

Is this a wise choice?

Hi all. I am a newbie here. I know this is the NICU thread, but felt it may be appropriae here as well as in the OB/GYN section. I have wanted to be an OB/GYN since I was 5yrs old, but have also wanted to work with preemies and in the NICU since then too. I fell into nursing and fell in love with it. I now want to become a WHNP/CNMidwife. I am still interested in newborn nursing and the NICU, but maternity is my first love. So I graduated in May 08, looked for a job to no avail. Took the boards and passed the 1st try in Nov 08 thinking it would help land a job....yeah right. now I have an opportunity to travel nurse in the NICU at a location in TX. I am very excited about this new possibility and getting my feet wet and figured NICU experience may help me down the road, but am wondering if this is a wise decision. I could also go into med/surg tele at the same location. Any thoughts, ideas, opinions, advice are welcome. Thanks a bunch. :)

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With travel nursing, they expect you do already know what you're doing. You usually get one day orientation to the unit then you're are your own. What you need to know in NICU you don't learn in nursing school.

Wow....I didn't think a travel agency would take you without experience first, and I would be leery of doing it. Also, most hospitals aren't going to give you a 8-12 week orientation that is really crucial to any ICU setting. You may have to settle for a job in nursery or on peds first, but I certainly wouldn't take a travel job if I didn't have experience in my field.

  • Author

Sorry, maybe I mis-spoke, maybe not. The position is with a travel agency, but is a permanent direct-hire position. I do see where you guys are comming from and will be sure to ask about the orientation/preceptor process. Thanks.

As long as they are willing to put you through a good orientation program then I say do what you are interested in. But, I agree with the others that what you need to know for the NICU you don't learn in nursing school. When I hired on to my NICU I felt like I had to go back to school for 3 months. The NICU is great, but it's not for everyone. I say if you think you have interest give it a try. It may help to post more specific questions about diagnoses, nurse patient ratios, etc. before you make any commitment.

^^ yes on the going back to school thing. If I didn't love NICU so much, I would hate it. Tests and classes? THought I was done with that in school!

^^ yes on the going back to school thing. If I didn't love NICU so much, I would hate it. Tests and classes? THought I was done with that in school!

I had a unit specific med test at both NICUs I worked at but no classes except for my first job...but there were no tests in those.

  • Author

Thanks for the input guys...but I was asking if it was a wise choice to go into NICU nursing before going into Maternity nursing. While I definitely want to be a WHNP/CNM, I think I'd still like to work in the NICU.

  • Expert

Sure, I think that is fine. Just getting ANY job will help you to feel more comfortable in the nursing role and you might find something that you like better or it might cement your decision.

I feel that NICU would be a wise choice. NICU and Mother-Baby services certainly go hand in hand. Who knows, maybe you will decide to become a NNP instead...

Med/Surg could also help (especially with time management).

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