LPN in NICU?

[noellelynn]

hi everyone! i originally wanted to go back to school to become a rn, but have decided to pursue a lpn program instead, to get me out of the job i'm in now and into the nursing field faster. then, do a lpn-rn program later on. i thought i'd like to be involved with the nicu, but am wondering if i complete an lpn program if i'll still be able to be involved in the nicu? if lpns don't normally work within the nicu, can someone suggest other routes for me to at least gain experience until i complete the lpn-rn program? would women's centers in hospitals be a good idea? mother/baby units, labor and delivery, peds? would those be possible areas that would get me the most experience while pursing the lpn-rn if i want to ultimately work in the nicu? or would a pediactrics office be better? or ob/gyn? i would assume if i want to work in the nicu, working within the hospital would be best rather than a dr's office. any insight anyone can give me on any of this would be greatly appreciated. i'm in the tampa bay area by the way, just in case anyone knowns specifically of any hospitals that hire lpns. thanks!!:heartbeat

[picurn10]

You'll have to find out specifics for your area, but in many areas of the country LPN's aren't even hired at hospitals anymore Bascially your options are LTC, home health, and Dr.'s offices.

I'm currently in LPN school but plan to start my bridge the month after graduation because I really want to work NICU, but can't as an LPN. There are still a few hospitals in my area that hire LPN's but none of the big one's, and you aren't able to work in any critical care or emergency units.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

you have to be a RN to work in NICU , you have to push meds and many complicated things that a LPn cannot do. we don't hire LPN 's at my hospital at all anymore.. all RN 's work in all areas of perinatal... i worked in OB /gyn for many years and they first started out with few LPN's and now they have phased them out completely ..

good luck in your schooling and keep us posted

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

If you still have the option go straight for RN. The LPN license severely limits opportunity.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If you wish to work in any type of ICU (NICU, MICU, SICU, PICU, CVICU, etc.), you will need your RN licensure due to scope of practice issues. There are a handful of LPNs in critical care units in the US, but they are rarities. The same situation often applies to labor & delivery units.

There are a few LPNs who work on postpartum units, though.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I work with an RN who was a pediatric office LVN for a few years prior to returning to a transition program, becoming an RN, and completing out new grad RN internship in NICU.

We have a couple of LVN's that work in newborn nursery and postpartum.