Level II or adult ICU

[NeuroNP]

Everyone,

I'm a nursing student and I want to work in the NICU after graduation and eventually go on to get my NNP. I've just signed a deal with a local hospital where they will cover my nursing school tuition and expenses (including all books, fees, scrubs etc) in full in exchange for me working for them for 2 years after graduation. It's a really great deal, the only downside (and there were MANY upsides) is that their NICU is a Level II.

I know I need 2 years of Level III experience to go to NNP school. They are building a new Women's Care Center that will dramatically increase the size of the NICU and they said that while there are no plans to convert it to a Level III, it "hasn't been ruled out" either. (I personally think that it will stay a Level II, there is a children's hospital with a "Level IV" NICU along with another big Level II in town.) All I know about the NICU is that they currently take kids as early as 29 weeks. There is potential of me doing an externship there next summer so I'll find out more.

My question...would it be more beneficial to go to the Level II NICU or to an adult ICU? They have a fairly busy OHS program and a 22 bed CT ICU and a nice CCU as well (they are known as a "heart hospital" although they are trying to really expand their OB service and the NICU along with it).

Currently, they have a few NNPs in their NICU and anticipate that growing significantly. From what I've seen, it sounds like a good place to work, I just wondered if it would be better to go somewhere where I could get really good critical care skills or go to someplace where I start taking care of sick babies even if they aren't Level III sick.

I'm not even really sure HOW sick Level II kids get. I also thought that it would be a good opportunity to see NNPs work in a community setting. Most other mid-levels I know work in that type of setting rather than a big academic hospital with residents and fellows (although I think our local teaching hospital Level IV uses NNPs...), is that the rule with NNPs as well?

Thanks!

Bryan

[Jolie, BSN]

If you are certain that working in the NICU and becoming an NNP are your ultimate goals, adult ICU experience will not be helpful.

Level II NICUs vary widely in the services they provide and acuity of infants they accept. In some units, the only distinction between a Level II and Level III is the availability of pediatric surgical services, an area that most NNPs don't become involved with to a great extent.

If you are planning on obtaining a Master's Degree, it would be wonderful to have your BSN paid off, which you can accomplish by making an agreement with this hospital. Check into the offer thoroughly, find out what the penalties and financial obligations wold be if you were unwillling or unable to keep your "payback" commitment. And most importantly, find out how satisfied the nursing staff is overall, and in the NICU.

Good luck!