Should I do my internship in the NICU?

[*TK8]

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.

[NicuRN8]

I agree with doing your practicum in the NICU if you TRULY know it's what you want. I did my senior practicum in the NICU at a level III/IV hospital and absolutely loved it. Don't even worry about having trouble with the NCLEX if you take a practicum in the NICU, in my class there wasn't any correlation between passing the NCLEX and what areas people choose to specialize in. If anything, some of the med/surg girls confused themselves because NCLEX is the "text book perfect way" to do things and what they saw on the floor is not always the correct thing ;-) Good luck!!

[psychonaut]

I knew I wanted to do NICU while I was in nursing school. I had to work very hard to get into a NICU preceptorship, but I got, and it acted as a 6-week long job interview. I was offered a job before I even graduated, and set my start date for two weeks after my NCLEX (so I could focus on the NCLEX before learning all the specialized things in the NICU).

That said, my fellow students who did preceptorships in the ER (both adult and peds) got a ton of procedure practice that we missed out on in general (IVs, foleys, wound care, etc), and I envied them that experience. Something to consider.

[ladyj5412]

NICU all the way. I am in favor for doing what you love. I chose to complete my practicum in a level III NICU and the closest one to my school is 1.5 hours away, and I love it!!! It's a pain to have to wake up at 4:30am to be at my site by 7am, however it is well worth it in my opinion.

[nurse.someday]

gnursetobe,

I need some advice!! I also am very interested in working as a nurse in a NICU someday. I already have a BS degree in Child development, and now am looking into what type of nursing program I should apply to. The school I want to go to has both a regular BSN-RN program and a pre-licensure masters CNL program... What would you recommend? I wonder whether it would be easier to get a job in a NICU with just two bachelor degrees or with one masters? :)