how to increase my chances of getting into NICU

[crazylilkelly]

Hi,

I am currently in a debate of whether I want to do L&D or NICU. I have one more year til I graduate & become an RN. In the meantime, I was wondering if becoming a doula would increase my chances of getting into the NICU? I know it will help w/ L&D. Also, I am volunteering @ a crisis nursery to get more experience w/ babies. Anything else I can do to increase chance of getting into NICU??? Thanks!

[iHeartNICU]

In any of the NICUs around your area is there something like an externship.....not sure if it's called externship in other places or not but that's what we have and it's basically a nursing student position and we are there observing & learning everything. We are paired with an RN for the day and they let us do anything we are allowed to do but they supervise us and teach us, etc, etc. Basically in the NICU I'm working at now they said that as long as we're hard workers and show a true desire to be there and to learn, then we will be hired when we graduate. Best of luck.