Question for NICU nurses that transitioned from adult care

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hello all and thank you for taking the time to read this. I had posted a question last year about how to get into the NICU. My background is med-surg x 5 yrs and have been applying to get into NICU every chance I get, but those applications have been with high hopes since they require "current NICU experience" and I have not heard back from any of them. So, my questions is how in the heck does anyone ever get NICU experience if they won't let you try unless you already have? It's the ultimate catch-22.

My hospital is a teaching hospital and there is a position posted for the adult critical care fellowship program that is an 8 week course meant to transition experienced RN's into the intensive care units (adult). I am planning on getting my BSN starting next year so once I have 4-5 yrs adult ICU experience and a BSN, do you think this would help my chances of being hired into NICU? I am wondering if it would help me with transitioning from acute care to critical care, and just caring/treating a critically ill human, no matter what the age they are. Any and all comments/suggestions are much appreciated, thanks again.

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I think your chances of getting into a NICU would be much higher if you did have ICU experience...as that is where I came from. The other suggestion would be to get Peds ICU experience.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Some units are choosy enough that they can favor a BSN. ICU experience probably won't hurt, but, when you do get to start in a NICU, the transition from adult to neonate may be surprisingly difficult. NICU patients sometimes seem like a whole 'nother species!

Possibly, your BSN program may have an NICU elective you could take. Check it out. Might be like "individual studies".

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Look into a BSN program with a capstone/internship class at the end. You'll do so many hours in a certain unit of your choice and hopefully you can get in NICU. That could help a lot. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Or take a job in well baby nursery, it will give you a leg up on what a well baby looks like. Try to hire into a hospital with a NICU as then you can put in to transfer. And if there is a NICU you will see kids that need to go there and are a little higher acuity.

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