How did you end up in the NICU?

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Dec 6, 2007

By chance... I was completely bored my senior year in practicum, doing a 10 week clinical in MICU. I asked for a change, and they agreed to let me go to NICU for 3 days. LOVED IT, and stayed for 2 years after graduation. Still in NICU.....just a different state!

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Dec 6, 2007

I kind of fell into NICU. All through my clinicals in nursing school nothing ever stuck with me, I was actually a bit concerned about having made a big mistake pursuing nursing. I was supposed to do my senior practicum in adult ICU, but someone wanted to switch with me. I switched with her, she was in the NICU. I liked it enough during my practicum then accepted a job there. Now I can't imagine doing anything else. I truly believe you end up where you were meant to be. Some are more lucky than others, we end up in our spots sooner, without having to try different other jobs first. Best of luck to you!

texas2007, BSN, RN · Dec 6, 2007

When I was in high school, I read about nicu nursing and thought that it sounded like something I would like to do. I volunteered before nursing school and shadowed a few days in my clinicals and still thought that I really wanted to do it. No other clinicals really stuck out at me the way nicu did. Then I landed my 4 week senior preceptorship in a level III and overall, I loved it. I will be starting a new grad position in another level II/III in January and I can't wait!!!

NeoNurseTX, RN · Dec 7, 2007

When I was in high school, I read about nicu nursing and thought that it sounded like something I would like to do. I volunteered before nursing school and shadowed a few days in my clinicals and still thought that I really wanted to do it. No other clinicals really stuck out at me the way nicu did. Then I landed my 4 week senior preceptorship in a level III and overall, I loved it. I will be starting a new grad position in another level II/III in January and I can't wait!!!

I am, too! (II/III new grad position in Jan in TX)..what hospital are you at?

Sweeper933 · Dec 7, 2007

I have always wanted to be a NICU nurse. I had an older sister who was born w/ a bunch of cardiac defects and was taken off of support when she was 17 days old. This was over 25 years ago, so technology was much different than it is today. She is the reason that a cousin of mine has also become a NICU nurse. I have a picture of my sister taped up in my locker at work to remind me of why I do this job. I can't see myself ever doing anything else but what I am doing right now!

iHeartNICU · Dec 7, 2007

I did a project in my high school A&P class and spent a few hours in the NICU observing. I LOVED it. I remember my teacher saying I didn't look like a NICU nurse and being impressionable in HS I kinda forgot about nursing alltogether and ended up majoring in education in college. After 2 years of being an education major I realized that this isn't what I loved....nursing was. SO I went to NS, never wanted any other nursing than NICU from day one, got an externship there this past summer, and will start as a new grad in January.

littlepeach · Dec 8, 2007

always Wanted Nicu, But Started Out In Ortho ! Yuck! Then, Moved To Labor Room And Made The Transition To The Kids. Love It, Love It, Love It!!! Will Never Do Anything Else. Babies Are My Life! There Is Nothing Like Seeing That Beautiful Little Face All Milk Drunk After A Good Breastfeeding.

MA Nurse · Dec 8, 2007

How did you end up with your NICU career? Did you know you wanted to be there from the time you were in school (or before)? Did you do a clinical rotation there? Have kids in a NICU?
Me - I always wanted to work there since I started nursing school and I got lucky enough to do a semester long clinical rotation in one.

I knew i wanted to do peds in nursing school. I was getting tired of huge patients who broke my back and who were sometimes mean.

I love my babies because they are smaller and can't hurt you physically.

bayouchick02 · Dec 17, 2007

I am, too! (II/III new grad position in Jan in TX)..what hospital are you at?

Me as well!! I too will be interning in the level II/III nicu. what hospital are u at in houston?

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Dec 17, 2007

I love my babies because they are smaller and can't hurt you physically.

Unless they grab you by the chest hair :>P

Sweeper933 · Dec 17, 2007

Unless they grab you by the chest hair :>P

:rotfl:

ROTFL!!!