Nursing Student considering NICU nursing

[nalaa83]

Hello all.

I am in my ending of my first semester of Nursing School. I am interested in becoming a NICU nurse then obtain my NP in Neonatal. I wanted advice as to what I should do after I graduate Nursing School in 2012. Should I find a job in NICU or go some place else to get experience? Please help me because I have no clue but I all I know is that I really want to do NICU nursing.

[brokenroads27]

i am also interested in this specialty. either nicu or OB for me! :) if i were you, i would try to get a job in something general to gain experience. you can be there for a short time, and meanwhile look for other jobs closer to what you really want to do. you could also try it and throw yourself out there and apply directly to a nicu job, but chances are they will want you to have experience. you never know though. i plan on applying to med surg jobs, even though its not what im interested in. at least that way i will put the skills i learned to use and then i can move on after a year or so. good luck!

[anonymousstudent]

A friend of mine works in the NICU. From what she says it's pretty different on many levels. She also mentions being routinely annoyed at the NP's who weren't nurses first in the NICU. Maybe that experience would be a good thing!