Questions about DNP-NNP & NICU Experience

[st1xkz]

Hi everyone!

I'm currently in my second year of college working on my prerequisites, and I plan to apply to a highly competitive nursing program this fall. I'm from California, and my goal is to work in the NICU, and eventually, I'd love to advance my degree.

When I first started college, I was a nursing major, but I switched to general biology because I was considering becoming a neonatologist. However, after taking pre-calc for approximately 2 months, I switched back to nursing because of my very limited math background.

I've always pictured myself working in the NICU—partly because of my own experiences there and also because I'm very family-oriented. It's ingrained in me to want to help others in similar situations.

I've been thinking more seriously about advancing my degree again. When I switched back to nursing, I told myself and my mum, "If I can't become a neonatologist, then I want to pursue the highest practice-based role in nursing for neonatology.” I hold myself to a really high standard.

So here's my question: Is the highest practice-based role for neonatology a DNP-NNP? Is it worth it to pursue that? What exactly do DNP-NNPs do? I've read that they can act as the infant's primary provider (under supervision of a neonatologist), rather than doing "basic" NICU RN things—is that true? How long would it take in total (starting from BSN)? If DNP-NNP isn't the highest practice-based nursing role, then what is?

I haven't looked too much into this yet because I haven't even started my BSN program (I still have about 4.5 years to go), but I'd really like to get an idea of what the path could look like from here.

Also, what's the NICU really like? Is everything in there tiny? I've heard people say it's the "easy" job in nursing because you're just taking care of babies all day—but I don't expect it to be easy at all. Still, I'd rather work with babies than adult patients.

What's the pay like? (That's just a bonus for me—it's not the main reason I want to go into nursing.) Do the babies cry a lot? Can I wear cute cartoon scrubs? I've seen some NICU nurses in my own baby photos wearing fun cartoon scrubs, and I've always loved that! What should I watch out for in the NICU? Are there a lot of babies born with drug exposure, like "fentanyl babies"?

What do NICU nurses experience that I should be prepared for? I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but I've never worked or volunteered in a hospital before, and I'm only 19. I honestly can't see myself working in any other unit or field, so I'd really appreciate any insight or perspectives. :)