Hi, all. I've spent the last year taking nursing prereqs and start the program in September. This will be a second career for me, as I hold a BA in education. I'm a mom to 3 little ones and, naturally, love babies. My dream position is NICU or L&D, but when I mention it to seasoned nurses, I feel like they look at me as if I'm expecting it to be handed to me and that I should "put my time in" on a M/S floor first.
I'm fine wherever I start off. I want to be an RN. But how common is it that these positions are offered to new grads? I mean, not everyone WANTS to work with babies, right? I hear many nurses say they would take adults any day of the week over babies. So, I guess what I'm asking is, do seasoned nurses see it as being cocky or undeserved when a new grad says they want to work in a specialty right off the bat? I dont want to say something during clinicals that sounds like I'm expecting to just walk into a specialty, if that's not really how it works, you know?!
The opportunities are out there! I encourage you to keep your heart focused on your desire to become a NICU nurse. I started nursing school only because I intended to become a NICU nurse. In my experience I rarely received positive affirmation to become a NICU nurse as a new grad/new nurse; but I kept focused on that goal. I worked more years in med-surg than I wanted to, but I am now a NICU nurse. To answer your questions, my unit hires new grads and experienced nurses from other specialties/populations. We currently hire associate degree nurses, but our new CNO is aggressively pushing for more BSN bedside nurses, which is a big change for our hospital's hiring criteria. That appears to be a nationwide trend. When you apply for a NICU job highlight your desire and plan to pursue your BSN.
I remembered like it was yesterday being told repeatedly that med/surge was the way to get in and lay a foundation. Never once did I listen. It comes down to what you feel comfortable doing. I see med/surge as task orientated, I got hired for a med/surge tele floor. I went for the interview and right there told the manager that I would accept, but honestly I want the ICU and I will leave as soon as I get a chance. I did not lie, this does not work for everyone, but in the end I rationalized it as this. Why start in an area that will have you possibly get set in your ways, even seasoned nurses orient to the icu, you will learn the way they do things. I was strong in my interview and in the end it came down to the confidence and passion I displayed to learn a new field. I ended up starting as a new grad in the CICU and never looked back, now in the process of applying to grad school and this can be guessed where from where I work.
I say go for it and not listen to anyone. I was told in and out by each member of the healthcare field to start there, and honestly had my moments where I thought this was the way to go, but if this is your passion, that to me will guide you. Other factors play in and really comes down to the team you work with and the preceptor.
Soooo do what you feel is best and not rely on others for that mental boost. Good luck and God speed.
I am a new grad in a level 3 nicu! I've been working here 6 weeks now. So it's definitely possible! I worked as a tech on med surg for 3 years and in the ER 1 year. I was done with med surg by then-it was not my thing.
I knew I wanted to do nicu. I was able to interview with them, and was one of 5 new grads hired in the nicu.
i do not think it's overwhelming to be in the nicu. Is there a lot to learn and a lot to do? Yes. i feel like it would be easier to go from an icu to a floor rather than a floor to an icu, just my opinion.
but it is possible for a new grad to work in that department!
I have my ADN (with plans to start my bsn next year)! Just keep looking. And even if it says bsn, apply anyway. I applied for some that wanted bsn nurses, but I got job offers from them.
Med surg isn't as helpful to a new grad NICU nurse as it is for a new grad adult ICU nurse. Postpartum can be helpful, but we do so many new grads and see such success I say go for it right out of school.
Honestly I think you'll struggle getting a new grad NICU position with the 2 year degree. BSN nurses do have better outcomes so the preference is justified, especially in critical care positions.
1. You absolutely need to do a preceptorship or capstone in a NICU to have a chance.
2. You'll have a better chance at the same hospital you do your clinicals.
3. You'll have a better chance at smaller or more rural hospitals. They are more needy for nurses. Problem is smaller hospitals don't have NICUs or they are lower level ones.
4. Get your foot in the door by being a CNA now at the hospital where you want to work as a nurse.
5. Most likely you'll need to get into a basic med/surg type floor (might even have to start outside of the hospital depending on your location). Put in 2-3 years while getting your RN>BSN. Then transition to NICU.
I would actually push to get in contact with the floor director of the NICU you're interested in. Be upfront, ask if they would consider you with your ADN upon graduation. Also, you can volunteer on the floor. They'll let you rock and hold them, maybe bottle. Become a familiar face, it will give you another foot in the door.
Thanks for the replies, everyone. It really is my dream. When I chose, at 33 with 3 kids of my own and a mortgage and bills and knowing the work ahead of me, to change careers and go to nursing school, this is what I saw myself doing. Thank you for the vote of confidence. Ive veen looking up residency programs, not that I fully understand them yet, but most of them are saying that they're only for BSNs. I'll only have my 2-year when I'm done. Is this common in any of your experience?
This depends almost entirely on your geographic area.
NYbabyRN, BSN, RN
95 Posts
The opportunities are out there! I encourage you to keep your heart focused on your desire to become a NICU nurse. I started nursing school only because I intended to become a NICU nurse. In my experience I rarely received positive affirmation to become a NICU nurse as a new grad/new nurse; but I kept focused on that goal. I worked more years in med-surg than I wanted to, but I am now a NICU nurse. To answer your questions, my unit hires new grads and experienced nurses from other specialties/populations. We currently hire associate degree nurses, but our new CNO is aggressively pushing for more BSN bedside nurses, which is a big change for our hospital's hiring criteria. That appears to be a nationwide trend. When you apply for a NICU job highlight your desire and plan to pursue your BSN.