senior in high school?!

Published

ever since i was in middle school i knew that i wanted to be a NICU nurse but now that it is finally time to fill out the infamous college applications i don't know what to do! are there certain colleges that have nursing programs that i should specifically look into? i do well in school and volunteer so i'm trying to keep my options open but there are just so many! any help on certain colleges that would be good to look into would be greatly appreciated...thank you

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you tied down to any particular area or are you free to go to school anywhere you choose?

Community Colleges are a good choice as far as cost goes, but it may be a little harder/more competitive to get in because of the vast number of applicants. I guess you just have to really ask yourself what it is that you're looking for. If money is an issue, then definitely look at a 2 year college and then do an RN-BSN bridge program at a larger university if you're wanting to get your Bachelors.

If money won't be an issue for you, then just do some research online and see what each school that you're interested in has to offer.

Check out their NCLEX pass/fail rates, etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

If you are set on going to a 4-year college or university for a BSN, then there really isn't a particular program to look into as long as the nursing school affiliated with the college has a decent reputation, a good NCLEX pass rate and is accredited. Reason being, most generic BSN programs (as far as I know) have clinical rotations in med/surg, obstetrics, pediatrics, pshychiatric and community health nursing only. There are so many courses (both nursing and general ed) that are packed into a four-year BSN program that there usually is no room for the development of specialized courses in specialties such as NICU nursing. Now, you may do a couple of clinical rotations through a NICU when you do your peds or OB rotation, but typically, you will not spend a whole semester there.

As you advance through the program, you may get the opportunity to apply to hospitals that have nurse externships or nursing assistant positions in the NICU - and this may help you get your foot in the door for a job there later; but going to a "specific" nursing school probably won't make much difference.

Definitely visit the colleges or universities which have nursing programs that interest you. Talk with the nursing faculty, students, and/or alumni to get a feel for the program and to see if they provide clinical experiences in the NICU. Also, decide if the location and the cost of the school is a good match for you. Also, talk with any of the students from the college to get a feel for the college environment and college life - this is where you may be spending the next four years of your life, so you don't want to make the decision lightly or based on just one aspect of the college.

Good luck! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.

If you go to a four year school, which i recommend...you're still young and it would be great if you could get your BSN right off the bat. the summer between your junior and senior year you can apply for a nurse externship at a local hospital and request that it be in the NICU, if the NICU takes externs. I would research the different hospitals in the area where you will go to school to see if they offer summer nurse externships. Many times these are paid positions and are a great way to get your foot in the door for a NICU becasue you get valuable experience in a NICU and when you go for an interview as a new grad for a NICU unit it shows that you really want to be in the NICU because you've already experienced it and that speaks volumes to whether a highly specialized unit such as the NICU will hire you as a new grad!! Good Luck!

Mex

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.
If you are set on going to a 4-year college or university for a BSN, then there really isn't a particular program to look into as long as the nursing school affiliated with the college has a decent reputation, a good NCLEX pass rate and is accredited. Reason being, most generic BSN programs (as far as I know) have clinical rotations in med/surg, obstetrics, pediatrics, pshychiatric and community health nursing only. There are so many courses (both nursing and general ed) that are packed into a four-year BSN program that there usually is no room for the development of specialized courses in specialties such as NICU nursing. Now, you may do a couple of clinical rotations through a NICU when you do your peds or OB rotation, but typically, you will not spend a whole semester there.

As you advance through the program, you may get the opportunity to apply to hospitals that have nurse externships or nursing assistant positions in the NICU - and this may help you get your foot in the door for a job there later; but going to a "specific" nursing school probably won't make much difference.

Definitely visit the colleges or universities which have nursing programs that interest you. Talk with the nursing faculty, students, and/or alumni to get a feel for the program and to see if they provide clinical experiences in the NICU. Also, decide if the location and the cost of the school is a good match for you. Also, talk with any of the students from the college to get a feel for the college environment and college life - this is where you may be spending the next four years of your life, so you don't want to make the decision lightly or based on just one aspect of the college.

Good luck! :)

I went to a BSN program and we had an ICU & Rehabilitation rotation in addition to those you mentioned. During Peds & Maternity, we went through the NICU, but it was observation only.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion