NICU preceptorship (last quarter of nursing program)

HappyPediRN · Nov 16, 2008

Hi Betty. I think you have to do what you love. You may wind up with a job out of this preceptorship, and even if you don't you have an advantage over many new grad candidates who apply to the NICU. I don't think you'll be at a disadvantage for not working with adults. I came from a school that didn't offer a preceptorship program at all and I don't feel like I'm at a disadvantage thus far.

zappochick7 · Nov 16, 2008

I did my last quarter of school in the NICU for my preceptorship this past spring because it is my passion and I wanted to work there after graduation too. I was also worried that it may hurt me for preparing for the NCLEX but it really made no difference. I just studied and passed with no problem.

There ended up being no jobs in the NICU available so I'm now in adult critical care and I don't feel like being in the NICU during that last quarter set me back or anything. So I'd say go for it because it could lead to a job which would be the ideal situation and if it doesn't it won't affect how well you do as a nurse in a different population.

BettyPaige · Nov 17, 2008

Thank you for responding to my post. I think I am going to go for it, and hope I can land a job by working my butt off and loving it!

NeoNurseTX, RN · Nov 17, 2008

I did my last quarter of school in the NICU for my preceptorship this past spring because it is my passion and I wanted to work there after graduation too. I was also worried that it may hurt me for preparing for the NCLEX but it really made no difference. I just studied and passed with no problem.
There ended up being no jobs in the NICU available so I'm now in adult critical care and I don't feel like being in the NICU during that last quarter set me back or anything. So I'd say go for it because it could lead to a job which would be the ideal situation and if it doesn't it won't affect how well you do as a nurse in a different population.

This is exactly my story.. except the NICU I did my preceptorship in wasn't hiring at the time (rarely does) and I got a job at another NICU in town. Go for it! Study for NCLEX with Kaplan Qbank - the questions are very NCLEXy.

sddlnscp · Nov 17, 2008

I'm glad you're going for it!!! I absolutely recommend that! I just graduated last August and I did my preceptorship in the NICU where I wanted to work. They almost never hire new grads, but because I went in and did awesome during my preceptorship, they hired me! If it hadn't been for that, I know that (in this area at least) there would be no way I could start off in a NICU.

I wouldn't worry about it hurting you for boards . . . just study well before you take them with a good preparation book. It will be so worth it to do what you love, regardless of whether or not you get a job there. And it is great to get that taste of it that lets you know if it's truly where you want to be or not. For me, that was what sealed the deal . . . I always knew I wanted to work NICU and having that preceptorship just added exclamation points behind that for me!

Best of luck!!! Enjoy it!

babyNP., APRN · Nov 17, 2008

Definitely do it! It'll look fantastic on your resume when you start applying for jobs. Doesn't hurt to get your NRP as well.

LuvaBSNRN, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2008

Hey to all my NICU heros!
I am going to be doing a preceptorship in my last quarter of nursing school. I was wondering if I should do it in the NICU or if I should rotate through some other adult unit. My passion is NICU, I know that no matter how I get there, it will be my end destination. It is the reason I went to school and the reason I know I will finally have a job I love. However, I am worried it would be unwise to get used to the babies before taking the NCLEX. Also, will I be underprepared to work with adults if I cannot get a resident position in a NICU after graduation? I am putting in my request soon, and I just was wondering what you all thought about this situation.
Thank you in advance.

Hello BettyPaige:

I did my preceptorship for nursing school in a Level 3 NICU I currently work in and I passed the NCLEX. I just graduated this past May, started orientation in early July and passed the NCLEX at the end of July. I think it was an excellent idea in that it gave me a chance to see what the NICU was all about. Your entire nursing school program I am sure is essentially based on adult care, so I am sure the last quarter of your education dedicated to NICU will do no harm, but be of great benefit; especially coupled with the fact that you are in love that population which will make your preceptorship very enjoyable :)

Hope this helps...please feel free to ask anymore questions!!

Take care :wink2:

elizabells, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2008

I did my preceptorship in the NICU, and I sent the NCLEX home crying for its momma.

dawnebeth · Dec 12, 2008

I wish my school had offered a preceptorship the last semester--I would have gone for it in a second. Now, 21 years later (to the day!), I precept student nurses almost every quarter in the ICN where I work. These nurses come out far, far more prepared for working in any hospital, but particularly in an ICN than I ever was that first year. Every one of the nurses I have precepted have had no trouble doing NCLEX and moving on in their careers. Most have gone into an ICN, but a few haven't.

I say go for your passion. I didn't regret not doing a year of med/surg. I would have hated that. Instead--while I was terrified that first year, I loved what I was doing and never looked back.

Dawnebeth