Adult ICU RN consindering NICU

[emb92250]

I've been an adult ICU nurse for 4 years now. I eventually want to be a CRNA. I have applied to a few schools, one of which I was not granted an interview (my organic chemistry grade was a C, they required a B or better) and the other I'm still waiting to hear back.

That being said, I'm BURNT OUT of adult ICU bedside care. I think it is largely my hospital's fault for this. There is absolutly NO ancillary help in our unit, excluding a secretary, and we are constantly short staffed. So every shift I am constantly bathing, turning, boosting not only my patients, but my nursing buddy's patients. It is exhausting. I've been in other ICUs before where this was not a problem, as the unit was fully staffed and we had techs to help with the physical aspect of adult nursing. There is no feasable way I could apply to another hospital at this time, as the next hospital with an adult ICU is an hour away and i don't want to commute that much.

So, I've been considering NICU for some time, but especially now with the burn out I'm feeling from adults. My question is: If you had adult ICU RNs come to NICU, or were and adult ICU RN that came to NICU, what are their greatest challenges? What is the best part of working NICU? The worst? How long before you felt comfortable handling such small babies, equipment, dosages of meds?

Any insight would be appreciated.