Male nurse in the NICU?

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I'm a new grad. and am trying to decide where I'd be happiest. I'm looking at either Surg./Trauma ICU or NICU. I did a clinical rotation at our NICU and loved it. I did a clinical as well as my practicum rotation in the Surg./Trauma ICU and loved the work and some of the coworkers. I've thought about interviewing for NICU but I'm worried about how the women will see me as a male working with them? I think I'd enjoy either job, but I've learned from past work experiences that the people you work with can make or break your job experience. So what do all you women think and are there any men working in the NICU and what are your experiences?

Go for it!!! Whatever your heart tells you to do!!!! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Thanks for the replies. I very much enjoyed my time in the Surg./Trauma ICU but there are a few people who have been there for some time now who seem pretty upset with life in general and make it hard for me to enjoy my time on the unit. The ladies in the NICU seemed very happy to have me and while I was only there for a clinical I very much enjoyed taking care of the babies. I guess the nice thing about nursing is that you aren't stuck working on any one unit and I know I can change later down the road but I'd like to start off doing what I think I like rather than working my way through aweful jobs to get to where I want. Again thanks. I guess I'll interview and see what they and I all think.

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Specializes in NICU.

The men in my unit and my previous one have been very very well accepted. I love having a mix of men and women in our unit. Go where you will be happiest. The Nicu is very rewarding.

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We have a male nurse in our NICU and I absolutely love working with him. He has been one of the best preceptors I have worked with. Sometimes I wish there were more men in here, women can be harsh sometimes!

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Specializes in NICU.

Well, I AM a NICU nurse...and I'm male. Just graduated in May '07 and was hired on straight into the unit. They hired around 30 grads (due to about 12 on avg quitting every year.) I LOVE my job and enjoy it every day I'm there! (I'm not young or single LoL, but working there is great and I'm (if anything) treated better for being a male there I think. I believe there are only four male nurses on NICU staff there including myself. Definitely try it for sure. (note: I haven't read all of this thread so my comments may be outdated LoL)

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