Question from a HS Senior - How to become a NICU Nurse?

Specialties NICU

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Hi! My name is Meghan and I'm a senior in high school who's almost positive I want to be a neonatal nurse. Right now I'm trying to choose between attending the nursing schools at Boston College and the University of Pennsylvania next year. After graduating with a BSN from one of these schools and taking the licensing exam, will I be able to go right to work in a NICU? Do you have to attend graduate school to get a MSN only if you want to be a nurse practitioner? Thank you so much in advance for your help... I'm so excited that I found this nursing discussion forum!!!

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Specializes in NICU.

Yes most NICUs hire lots of new grads into their units. You just need to get your nursing degree, pass boards, and then you're eligible for NICU nursing. You won't learn much about neonatalogy in nursing school, but instead once you start working on a unit. You don't need a master's degree, just an associate's or bachelor's. Even if you want to be an NNP, you need a couple of years NICU nursing experience before you can begin those courses.

Good luck! Sounds like you're on the right track.

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Gompers is right, you won't learn much about neonatology in nursing school. But you will get a great broad-based nursing education if you go for your BSN. You really will use some of that "adult nursing" info when you are dealing with the babies' mommas. Maternal history plays a big role in neo development, so pay extra close attention when you are learning about diabetes and hypertension. And, if you keep your options open about where you would like to practice, there are quite a few hospitals out there that will help you in paying back your student loans. Good luck to you Meg! Either of those schools sound like top choices! :)

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Thank you so much for your answers - They definitely helped me to put everything in perspective! However, I was also wondering - Can you get a masters degree without becoming a NNP (right now I'm looking into the five-year BSN/MSN programs at BC and Penn)? I know the masters degree would be a huge advantage once I start looking for jobs, but right now I'm thinking that I really just want to be a staff nurse, and not a NNP. Thanks again for your help! :)

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Thank you so much for your answers - They definitely helped me to put everything in perspective! However, I was also wondering - Can you get a masters degree without becoming a NNP (right now I'm looking into the five-year BSN/MSN programs at BC and Penn)? I know the masters degree would be a huge advantage once I start looking for jobs, but right now I'm thinking that I really just want to be a staff nurse, and not a NNP. Thanks again for your help! :)

My advice is not to put the cart before the horse, so to speak. A masters degree doesn't really offer such a huge advantage in seeking a staff nurse position in a NICU. I am not aware that it offers any advantage at all. A new-grad RN is a new-grad RN. Each will need the same training and orientation. Education is always a good thing, but graduate level nursing education, in my opinion, benefits those with nursing experience far more than those without it. My advice is to get your BSN and work in a NICU for a while - then, if you still desire to do so, get your MSN.

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Thank you so much for your answers - They definitely helped me to put everything in perspective! However, I was also wondering - Can you get a masters degree without becoming a NNP (right now I'm looking into the five-year BSN/MSN programs at BC and Penn)? I know the masters degree would be a huge advantage once I start looking for jobs, but right now I'm thinking that I really just want to be a staff nurse, and not a NNP. Thanks again for your help! :)

Just to add to what RN4 said...

After you get your years of experience in-at least 2, but it may take more to feel well rounded- certainly going for your MSN might be your next step. The question for you is: why would you want your masters? Without practical experience, a masters in neonatal nursing will not give you much of an advantage especially if you want to be a staff nurse. Since you currently aren't thinking the NNP route, you'll need to investigate the different types of MSNs that might suit you. Perhaps you would like to go the education route and teach as a nursing educator. You could get your masters in Neonatal nursing and in the right situation put that toward a teaching career.

However, like RN4 said-don't put the cart before the horse! You are young with so much ahead of you! For now I would suggest you pick your college and enjoy that 4 year ride. Too much planning can get in the way of being open to what life throws your way!

(Sorry if I sound kinda preachy...I just spent 2 days looking at colleges with my 17 yo daughter...oh to be young again!!!!! :)

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Go for it! I graduated in December and started in Feb. in the NICU. I knew I would like to work in peds, OB, or the NICU when I first started school, but my advice is to use nursing school to explore where you belong. My last semester experience where I worked one on one with a nurse for HOURS... I worked in OB. There were not any opportunities in my area to work in the NICU, but I have heard of internship opportunities which would be a great chance to see if this area would be right for you. So... keep dreaming! :) I dream of becoming an NP, but for right now and at least 5 more years... I'm becoming a true nurse! Good Luck

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