Pediatric NPs and Neonatal NPs - question

[MommyandRN]

Hi! I am considering a career change to the NICU and possibly pursuing a NP degree at some point. I don't know if I want to be a Pediatric NP or Neonatal NP. If I do NICU, would that be considered enough pediatric experience to eventually be a pedi NP in an office? Should a pedi NP have a stronger "peds" hospital background (with older kids)? I think I would enjoy being a neonatal NP as well. Do they mainly work in NICUs? Thanks for any insight! I have only worked with adults in the past, but the whole reason I wanted to become a nurse was to work with kids. I can't wait!

[dilleweed]

I have done a lot of research on NNP and PNP careers because I"m considering them both as well. All the NNP programs I have seen require 2 years' experience in a Level III NICU before you can start the clinical portion of the program. I think PNP programs do not have an experience requirement...? You should talk to professors in the programs you're interested in to find out what they recommend. Every school/program is different, and while there are some general things you can do to prep yourself for any of them, it's good to know what *your* program wants to see.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

I would imagine that you need general peds experience for PNP, since NICU is neonatal-only, with a little early peds for our chronic babies. PNPs can sometimes work in a NICU, but not the other way around. However the preparation you need to survive and practice safely in the NICU comes only with NNP preparation.