NICU/TELLY Student

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Hi, I have one more semester before I get to take the NCLEX. I am externing right now for a telly unit and have worked with the hospital for almost 3 years now. I am being offered an externship for NICU at a different hospital. My dream has always been to work in NICU. They said that a job after graduating is not guaranteed but of course it's a great place to gain experience. I am afraid that if I leave my place of work (which I am not to fond of) that I will burn bridges and if NICU doesn't hire me when I graduate than I will not get a nursing job. I know nursing jobs are hard to get out of school. Should I go for my dream of gaining experience in NICU or stay with the job I do not really like because I am afraid of not getting a job when I graduate? I feel like I should just take a leap of faith and go for what I have always wanted which is NICU.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

As long as you give proper notice and leave on good terms and don't badmouth anyone, there's no reason to think you will have burned any bridges. I would take the externship in the department you really want to work in.

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Specializes in PICU.

I agree with klone. You should take the NICU externship, especially if you want to do NICU when you graduate. It sounds like a great opportunity. Do yo like the other hospital? Make sure you give notice, don't talk bad about the hospital or unit.

If you have a good experience and make good connections with the unit, even if they do not hire you, you could have another good reference as well.

Good LUck

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Specializes in NICU.

Take the externship, but make sure to leave your current job with proper notice (and decorum). Even if you don't get NICU right away as a graduate nurse, it is still valuable experience and will give you a leg up if you try to get into NICU at a later date. Or, you might find that you absolutely hate NICU (the dream does not always meet reality) and you'll know better for when you graduate.

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Thanks everyone! I agree with what you guys are saying. I guess it can be scary starting something new.

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