dcorynn

Thank you all so much for your opinions!:)

Hi all, I posted on another thread, but I'm posting here as well. I'm a Registered Dietitian working in a level III NICU in a large teaching facility. My dream has always been to be a mid-level practitioner of some sort. As of late, I've been going back and forth between Neonatal Nurse Practitioner vs. Physician Assistant (and then doing a post grad residency in neonatology). I understand that to become an NNP, I would have to complete a BSN program first (I've been looking into alternate entry MSN programs) and then working for a minimum of two years before being able to complete the NNP Program. Whereas with the PA program, it would take ~2 yrs of school + 1 year of residency. I love the NICU and am trying to figure out the best route. My major concern is that it seems much more common for NPs to be in the NICU vs PAs. Is this your experience as well? As someone who is not a nurse but wants to work in the NICU, what is your opinion on the best route to take?

Hi all, I just finished a dietetic internship program and am now just waiting to the exam to become a Registered Dietitian. I'm also currently completing a neonatal nutrition fellowship in a level III NICU. I absolutely adore the NICU and the more I have experience in the NICU, the more I think I want to work in the NICU as an RN. I love neonatal nutrition, which is obviously why I'm doing the fellowship, but I would like to have more hands on interaction with the babies and families and would love to learn more about the medical aspects of their care. I have also had experience in various PICUs throughout my internship, and I really like the PICU, too. I guess my question is twofold: (1) what would be the easiest route to transitioning from RD to RN [i was thinking of working as an RD and going to nursing school part time or doing an accelerated program or possibly direct entry master's program]; (2) what do you all think the main differences are between working in an NICU or a PICU? If I decide to go to nursing school, my eventual plan would be to get my NNP or PNP certification which is why I'm asking about the differences. I'm going to post this in the students area, too, just to get extra input! Thanks so much!