Should I do my internship in the NICU?

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Hi everyone,

I am a nursing student in a Direct Entry Master's program that awards a degree as a clinical nurse leader. One of the requirements of our program is to do an internship of 400 hours in a specialty area of our choice (we get to chose our preference, there are not guarantees). I would love to do my internship in the NICU- I plan on trying to find a job in that area after I graduate. I would like to get the internship at my local children's hospital, but like I said earlier there is no guarantee. One of my professors said to be careful of superspecializing since I would need to pass the NCLEX. I am sort of confused as to which specialty to pick even though I love the NICU (I've shadowed there a few times a few years ago). I have to pick an area by the end of the summer. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help.

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

If NICU is what you want to do and you study all the adult things really well (because there is VERY little NICU related on the NCLEX), then I don't see why not.

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Thank you NeoNurseTX :)

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You might want to consider doing your internship in pediatrics. This would give you a broader base of knowledge, as well as giving you a foot in the door toward NICU. It might also make you more employable, as NICU positions can be hard to come by. NICU nurses tend to love their jobs and the turnover can be quite low. Peds would allow you to build a great foundation and open up all kinds of sub-specialty possibilities within that age group.

I wish you the best. :up:

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Thanks rn/writer! Doing pediatrics especially on a med/surg floor was my second choice. I'm strongly considering doing it.

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Specializes in NICU.

If you want to do NICU only and you are sure on it, I disagree with doing an internship in peds.

I love kids in non-hospital life, but I think I would shoot myself on day 1 if I had to take care of anyone >1 year old :lol2: Adults...I think I would shoot myself the minute I found out!

yes...something of an exaggeration, but I intensely dislike the other populations in nursing and though at the time when I did a trauma surg internship and did my peds rotation I thought I liked it, it was only because I hadn't done NICU yet and realized how much higher on a plane it is for me.

However, if you're doing a clinical leader program, it would probably be good to do something generalist for awhile, in peds, if you'd like. I passed NCLEX in 55 minutes, 75 questions and had my senior practicum in the NICU, so as long as you study well, it should be fine (although I took the old version of NCLEX versus the new one that was out in April...)

Do you want to do clinical leader/specialist in NICU? or generalist peds?

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Thanks for your input babyRN. I'm pretty sure I would like to end up in the NICU. After I get my license I want to work in the NICU for about 5-10 years and then I would like to maybe eventually get my NNP. I've always wanted to do this every since I had the chance to visit a NICU when I was in high school. I know a lot must have changed, but I still feel drawn to working with that population. We just had our first foundation clinical and even though I can work with adults, I know I don't love it. This process is hard because we have to choose before we do our OB rotation, but I've been set on going back to the NICU for many years now. I could do generalist peds, but I don't know yet if I would love it. Like I said, it's a hard process.

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Specializes in NICU.

It is hard to know...I had never stepped foot in a NICU before my practicum, but I made my decision based on the following:

1) I loved my peds rotation, but it was mostly the

2) Always knew I wanted to do ICU stuff (originally wanted to do adult CVICU or SICU)

3) Past baby-sitting experiences knowing that I did enjoy infants

When I got into that NICU (now looking back, a verrrry small level 3a unit), I couldn't ask for anything better (of course that is until I got in my current unit!) and I found myself wanting to go to my clinical preceptorship every day. Even now, though there are some rough days, I still love my job and I love going into work to take care of my kids. With an equally great pay, I consider myself blessed to the extreme, especially in this economy.

Have you considered dumping the CNL portion of your program? If your ultimate goal is to do NICU and then later NNP, is it going to serve your career? It might if you fell into a hospital doing professional practice stuff for a NICU, education coordinator for staffing/new grads, that sort of thing...

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The CNL portion is built into my program. The reason why I chose the master's program was because I already had a degree in psychology and really wasn't interested in getting another bachelor's degree. Being in a CNL program however has changed my perspective on that issue though- now I probably wouldn't have an issue with getting another bachelor's degree. I knew the role I was going to be taught when I entered the program and I was okay with that- I just really wanted to become a nurse almost anyway possible. The NNP is a long term goal and who knows- maybe I'll just enjoy only being a NICU nurse.

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Specializes in NICU.

I agree with babyRN. If you want to do NICU, do NICU.

I did my preceptorship in the NICU and loved it. When it came time for the NCLEX, I also passed after 75 questions. Not for one second did I think that because I was in the NICU, I would have a harder time passing. I studied everything, as everyone should.

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Thank you for your input linRdsNay.

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm glad you asked this question because I was wondering the same thing! I've been debating whether or not to ask for an SICU or a NICU placement (although nothing's guaranteed). My concern isn't really about passing the NCLEX though, it's more about whether or not it will hold me back when applying for jobs. I would love to get a new grad job in the NICU but I also need to be realistic about the current job market...does anyone think a preceptorship in the NICU would limit me when applying for jobs?

I don't mean to hijack your thread, just looking for more input :).

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