Kat-nurse

Thanks again! I'm very confused right now because I have an opportunity to work either at Baptist Hospital in their level III NICU or at Miami Children's level III. I really like Baptist hospital, their level III training, and facilities are excellent, I also got a better "feeling" about their unit, staff, more organized etc. BUT they don't do open heart and only have about 7 level III beds and 20 level II., no ecmo etc. Miami Children's has more acute cases, ecmo, and do open heart. I spoke to Miami Children's and was told that babies after open heart surgery first go to their CICU and then they're transferred to NICU, so I'm not sure if this would give me good exposure to post cardiac cases, also their unit and facilities didn't seem as organized as Baptist's, but that is only my first impression which may be wrong. I like Baptist better but feel that Children's may give me better experience, have you heard anything about baptist's nicu? I know I asked you enough questions already, but if you have any suggestions/opinions about the two hospitals I would greatly appreciate it. I have to make a decision between the two VERY soon and I'm really torn. Thanks much!!!

Thank you for your response. Can you tell me what you mean by "plain" NICU experience? Did your classmates have level II or III NICU exp.? Also by cardio, do you mean the babies were right post open heart surgery? Because I was under the impression that all post cardiac surgery babies first go to CICU until stable, and then to NICU? Thanks much!

Thank you so much for all the info about your experience and Barry. It made me feel much better to know that there are a few people accepted with NICU/PICU experience, and even with ER. Thanks for sharing your gpa as well as the average for the class, this info is often difficult to get. You obviously must have been a strong candidate regardless of not having adult experience, because you got accepted at two very good universities. And even if Columbia was not thrilled with your experience, that didn't seem to hurt you. Did you work in Fl? And if so, would you be willing to share which hospital you worked for? I was thinking of going to Miami children's because of their acute cases, do you have any opinions about them? I was hoping to get some experience with open heart surgery babies; did you have that kind of experience? Hope to hear from you again, and then later in a few moths about how well you're doing in your program. If you have any other info to share about your experience or Barry, I'm sure a lot of people would appreciate that (including me ) Thanks!!!!!

Thanks so much for your response. I'm glad to actually see someone who got accepted to Barry with NICU only. They did tell me they would accept NICU only but they also insinuated:uhoh21: that adult is preferred. Now I'm wondering if the adult ICU is recommended in order to have a better chance of being accepted to the program, OR it is recommended to make an easier transition once already in the program. I don't mind studying harder once in the program but I am concern a little if NICU only would hurt my changes of being accepted? I would really prefer to do what I love (NICU) instead of moving to an adult icu , unless it would considerably lower my chances of being accepted. Also if you would be kind enough to tell me how many yrs of experience you had, and if you had any cardiac/open heart surgery babies in your unit? Few hospitals do open heart neonatal, and I have a chance to move to such a unit if this would help with my experience. Also do you know of any other people in your program who only had NICU or PICU ? As far as people flunking out, it's not only Barry but as you said, other programs as well. Around 10% not making it is pretty average in all the programs. I'm glad you decided to stay with Barry. Thanks again and good luck!

Do you know of any RN's accepted to CRNA program with only NICU experience ? I was told that adult ICU is preferred only because you deal with cardiac/MI patients and will learn about drips, balloons, swans etc. BUT what if you worked in a congenital heart defects NICU and with open heart surgery babies ? Anyone out there has such an experience, and if so, can you tell me if you learned most of the same things as in an adult ICU ? Thanks !

I live in FL, and Barry has an excellent reputation for their nursing and anesthesia program, they are one of the best in US. I'm also trying to get into their crna program and by the time I apply I will also have only NICU experience. Since you only had NICU experience, can you tell me more specifically what type of experience it was? Such as, was it level II or III, open heart/ cardiac babies etc. and did you have a chance to learn most of the same things as in an adult ICU: drips, swans, balloon pumps etc. I'm under the impression that Barry would accept NICU only, BUT would prefer adult ICU if all things being equal. I would really appreciate if you could let me know how many yrs nicu experience you had, type of unit/size (cardiac neonatal etc), and type of things you learned. And if you were asked about the particulars of your experience at the interview? Also if you could share any other info about their process/interview etc. I would greatly appreciate it. Wish you all the best with your experience at Barry !!! Gongrats!:balloons: