L & D first????

[RN2B12]

Hi all, I am interested in working in the NICU after I graduate. I hope to eventually become an NNP, but that is another chapter in my life. What I would like to know is: Upon graduation should I work in L&D (our hospital is L/D/R/P) and get comfortable with well babies before I attempt to work in a level III NICU? Thank you.

[darynash]

That is what I did and I don't regret it one bit. It is hard to learn what is abnormal if you don't know what normal it. I think that is a great idea if the opportunity presents itself. I started out doing LDRP and loved it. I don't like the LDR concept with the separate post partum but that is my preference. By doing LDRP, you do it all from start to finish.

[aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN]

I just got hired on in the NICU as a new nurse and my only L&D experience was in clinicals in nursing school.

I would talk to the recruiter or nurse manger for the NICU you are looking to work in and talk to them about what they look for.

Good luck!

[darynash]

You don't need to have L&D or General Nursery experience to work NICU. We hire new grads into NICU and they have been excellent. I believe that learning is a lifelong process and if you have the opportunity to learn something from a different perspective, go for it!

[littlepeach]

I worked a year L&D before NICU and am thankful for that experience. If you have the chance then it is worth wait. Especially if you are a new nurse. I had two years surgical before L&D, so to each his own...