NICU, which way to go?

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Hello all,

I will be starting my 2nd year of nursing school this September. I have wanted to be an OB nurse for over 20 years, but now that I have been through a year of school and worked as an OB tech the last year I am learning that the babies are my passion. I love OB, but I have decided that I want to work in a NICU. A NICU will not be an option for us for a preceptorship at the end of the year so I am trying to figure out which route to take for that, and experience after school. I know that I won't be able to get into a NICU as a New Grad, but I'm not sure if I should get experience in an ICU, or OB. I have seen Critical Care and Acute Care experiences on job postings. Any advise? Any thoughts? Anybody else in the same boat?

Thanks,

Shannon

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Specializes in NICU.
I know that I won't be able to get into a NICU as a New Grad, but I'm not sure if I should get experience in an ICU, or OB.

That is no true, larger NICUs hire new grads since they have an established orientation program (classroom and preceptorship). I started in a Level IV NICU six months ago as a new grad. If you are willing to move, New Grad residencies are also available for NICU.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.
That is no true, larger NICUs hire new grads since they have an established orientation program (classroom and preceptorship). I started in a Level IV NICU six months ago as a new grad. If you are willing to move, New Grad residencies are also available for NICU.

This depends on where you live. In my area, hospitals (including the big ones) will only consider a new grad for a NICU position if they did their nursing school preceptorship in a NICU - and OP has said her nursing program does not offer that option. And even for the new grads who did do a preceptorship in NICU, they STILL want you to go through their new grad orientation program.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

I'd go OB or nursery if you can't get into NICU. This gives a ground on normal kids and some that are sick at delivery or act up in the nursery. Try to get into a hospital with a NICU, you can move laterally then when you want or are able to move.

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

My NICU hires nurse techs... Try to find a a tech job in a NICU if you can.

My (and 3 of the other new grads starting with me) ER tech experience helped me standout and get hired. The others had preceptorships in the NICU.

None of the nurse techs graduated in May, but some of them will in December. I'm sure I'll start seeing them in orientation in January.

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