Level III Or Level II, Preference?

[NEWNICUNURSE]

I've been on my own for a few months now in a level 3 nicu amd ive been rotated a few times to level two and im beginning to feel that I have a preference for level 2.

Do you have a preference and would you mind explaining why?

I am trying to see if level 3 is really where I want to me. Your input would be of great help.

:)

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

I personally prefer a level III (all I've ever worked, so I guess its not really a preference...) I enjoy the high acuity and technology. That's not to say I don't love having a cute feeder/grower now and then. I just couldn't go through life doing just that.....

[crazyaaa]

I'm allways looking for some challenge....It's really a personal choice,i think.So just follow whatever you like.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I love working on a combined Level II/Level III unit. After two or three shifts with critical kids, it's great to be able to take care of a stable kid. And after two or three days with a couple of our fussy, miserable BPDers, I often find myself ready for an intubated kid. :)

[rnpilot]

Early in my career, I was in level III for 6 years. I then was recruited to help upgrade a level II. It was definitely a slower pace until we got to full level III. With only 14 beds, it was quite nice- not too slow, and seldom crazy. After some years off, I went back to level III. I hated it, but part of it was the unit- too many babies, too few nurses, too much noise as it was one big room. Now I prefer level II. One suggestion I would make is try to stick with a level III for 1-2 years. The experience gained will be invaluable and will help you if / when you switch to level II.

[medchick]

I prefer level III. I like the quicker pace of things. My biggest complaint with level II is that I am always doing something but never feel like I get anything done.

[lovemyjob]

Our nursery is mixed with fedder growers and the very highrisk. It is nice because I can have a really sick micropreemie along with a feeder grower who just needs assessments and NG feeds q 3 hrs.

I highly recommend getting your baseline experience in the highest leve possible. You may be at a level 2 facility and have a 25 weeker walk through the door and deliver, so it would be great to have the experience of workign with that population so you can be prepared and help get the kid ready for transport.

[crissrn27, RN]

If you can, I would do as lovemyjob suggest. Get experience in a level III before doing a level II. It would really come in handy if you have that experience and can handle the emergency's that can (and do) come up often. Not that you won't learn in a level II, but it will be slower.