NICU to SICU?

[Emm_RN, ASN, BSN, MSN]

Hi all,

Let me start by saying I have been an RN for 2 years with experience on a med-surg (mostly surgical) floor and now am working in a level IV NICU. I worked in a nursing home throughout school as a CNA. I want to eventually go back to school for either FNP or acute care NP.

I love working in the NICU, but I cannot see myself there forever and I do not want to pursue NNP. I want to broaden my knowledge and not be so specialized.

Do you think a MICU or SICU transition would be feasible given the fact that I worked with adults for the majority of my working life so far, is this the best route to go if I want to go back for NP, and what is a typical day like in the MICU/SICU?

Thank you!

[kdkout, BSN, RN]

I feel like you need to be more specific about what you want or why. You did med-surg, wanted to try NICU and then got NICU....and "love it" but dont want to stay because you dont want to be a NNP. Is that right? Which is fine....I just think I need clarification. Is your real goal NOT to be a floor nurse for much longer - to go to grad school? If grad school within the next 5 years or so is your real goal, and you want to go back to school for FNP or acute care NP, then I wouldnt stay in the NICU. You're right, you need to get back into the adult world soonish. I would think any adult ICU you could transfer to within your hospital (so you can keep seniority) would be a good idea. I did CICU years ago and floated to Medical ICU (adults) and between both, I'd do MICU for the goals you stated because it had a more varied dx/patients....but I'm not the best one for this topic. I'd also be talking to FNPs and acute care NPs who have the job you want, to find out if that's truly what you want to do or not. Is there a job shadow experience you could find? Not sure if I was much help. Anybody else?

[Emm_RN, ASN, BSN, MSN]

I do love NICU however I do not want to be here forever. I want to have a more broad knowledge base. I love bedside nursing so I'm not sure that I want to rush to get to grad school, but I know I want to at some point in the future. I started looking into some adult ICU's. Unfortunately I would have to transfer hospitals because I am at a Children's Hospital now. I have been asking around to a few people I know who are FNP's who have mostly all said that I would need to go back to adult world soon. I am excited to gain more knowledge that I will not have here because it is so specialized. Thank you for the advice!

[kdkout, BSN, RN]

You're welcome :-) If you have to switch hospitals anyway, then I'd talk to friends about scheduling and if any of those hospitals allow self-scheduling. THat way maybe you could take a few classes at the same time. Good luck!

[Emm_RN, ASN, BSN, MSN]

That is a great idea! Thank you so much! :)

[Luckyyou, BSN, RN]

I'm currently making the change from NICU to adult CTICU. I made myself a competitive candidate by taking on roles outside of the traditional NICU stuff (PICU, peds CVICU, ECMO). My manager was planning on hiring me before the interview. It can be done! I felt like I was going to get myself stuck in the NICU forever if I didn't get out soon and I had less than zero interest in being an NNP in my unit.

[Emm_RN, ASN, BSN, MSN]

I'm currently making the change from NICU to adult CTICU. I made myself a competitive candidate by taking on roles outside of the traditional NICU stuff (PICU, peds CVICU, ECMO). My manager was planning on hiring me before the interview. It can be done! I felt like I was going to get myself stuck in the NICU forever if I didn't get out soon and I had less than zero interest in being an NNP in my unit.

This is exactly it! I do not want to get stuck with this specific knowledge base if it will hold me back. Not that it isn't good experience, and I'm so glad I did it, but I want to move on to something broader. I am looking into some adult ICU's/Trauma ICU's. Thank you for your input.