Neonatal Resuscitation class, a good start?

Specialties NICU

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I'm really wanting to break into NICU nursing. Vanderbilt is close to me and I registered for the NR course. They have other courses related to neonatology but said they strongly suggest one take the resuscitation course before the others. The NRP course (they said on the site) is good for beginners or people needing to renew their certification.

I'm so excited, so excited!

Does this sound like a good idea for someone wanting to break into this discipline? I'm very excited about it. I was also wanting to be a volunteer in the cuddler program to try to at least get my foot in the door somewhere.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Honestly, NRP is hard if you aren't working already because it is the experience that brings all that info together. When we look to hire we really wouldn't look at that you took that class as it is built into our orientation, we only see that you are a newbie to NICU looking to work in our unit. I say save your money and invest in a good Neonatal book like Merstein :)

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

I agree with NicuGal. Let a new employer pay for that course. Additionally, hopefully you won't have any trouble finding a job working with babies, but if you do, the 2 year renewal time could reach out and bite you.

Good luck.

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Oh no! I already bought the text and registered! It won't be a total waste, will it? I wanted to take all the other courses they offer...it just seems like it is so hard to get hired on in the NICU I was hoping to find ways to show my sincerity. I know you can't beat experience, but you have to start somewhere. Guess my zeal got the better of me.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

It won't be a total waste as far as education, but there is a lot in there that if you don't have a base of NICU knowledge and a little OB thrown in there, it won't make a lot of sense. I say since you already registered take it, but I'd hold off on the other classes.

Take a look a the CD that came with it, that always helps. Have you thought about starting out in postpartum? That will get you some baby experience :)

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