NICU/PICU; where to start?

[slgatley]

Hello!

I am a new graduate nurse (May 2018) who has interest in furthering my career and working with children. I am ultimately hoping to work in the NICU or PICU. I just have a couple of questions. First of all, what do you prefer? Obviously, I know that everyone is different, and I have done rotations in both aspects and enjoyed each of them. I really love both.

My next question is, where to start? I applied for both the NICU and PICU and unfortunately wasn't selected. I accepted a position in the Cardiac ICU, with hopes of transferring. I am wondering though where to transfer to should I be turned down again. Would I just try to apply to a general pediatric floor? Or labor and delivery? Or just wait it out?

Just looking for a little advice! Thank you in advance!

[brownbook]

Your post is like someone who's just learned to drive, gotten their license, asking if they should try the Indie Racing league or the Nascar Speedway.

I'm glad you're excited about your career. I do like your gung ho attitude. But first of all, as a new grad, take (within reason) the first decent job you can get.

A year of good CCU experience under your belt puts you in a good position to transfer to other areas.

Keep your mind and heart open to everything you're going to learn in your first year. You may find yourself interested in an area of nursing you never thought you'd like.

(Unless you've worked as an aide, tech, etc. for years in a hospital and really do know what area you want to work in....then "Nevermind" .)

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

General pediatrics is going to give you much more relevant experience than L&D would.

[llg, PhD, RN]

General peds would be appropriate for either NICU or PICU.

If you heart is set on NICU and you can get a job working with newborns (in an LDRP set-up, or newborn nursery, or intermediate nursery, etc.) that would be OK as a step towards a NICU career, too. A lot of NICU's will also consider L&D experience relevant, particularly if it a high-risk unit in which the RN's get experience with C-sections, neonatal resuscitation, etc.