Subspecialty level NICU?

[ParrotHeadRN]

Hello All,

I am thinking about making a career change and even though I have been leaning toward ED, I've been reading posts here and am truly starting to lean toward NICU.

The facility I am currently in has what is called a "subspecialty level NICU" and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what that means. I know we are a level I trauma center, but that's all I know. Are NICU levels the same as ED levels? As in I is the highest? According to the website, the NICU has at least one neonatologist and one neonatal NP present at all times.

Another quick question, I've noted that all the postings for NICU in my facility state BSN. I will begin working on my BSN in January and am wondering if I can expect to be considered at all.

Thanks! And I can't thank you all enough for your inspiring posts!!

PHRN

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

NICU is numbered backwards from the trauma centers with III/IV being the highest intensity. I have never heard of a subspecialty unit though. Each hospital is different in what they want degree wise. Our hospital will take all degrees.

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

A Level III NICU is the highest level ..... that's where you find your sickest/most critical patients.

A Level II NICU is more more of a step-down unit ..... mostly feeder/growers and some phototherapy.

A Level I would probably be like your regular newborn nursery?

I'm not really sure about the BSN thing ...... you'd have to check with HR about that. Our hospital doesn't require a BSN to work in the NICU, but all hospitals are different.

Good luck to you!

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

Maybe sub speciality is like cardiac, GI and neuro?

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

In regard to 'levels', keep in mind that definitions vary greatly. Some centers even refer to themselves as a Level IV NICU and this is generally a place that offers ECMO or other highly specialized services.

The term 'subspecialty level NICU' isn't one that I've come across, but I would think it could mean two things: either a unit set up to deal with a specific type of neonate (surgical, cardiac, etc) - or maybe it just means that the unit has access to subspecialists like pedi CV surgeons, pedi neurosurgery and the like.

Re: the BSN issue, all you can do is give it a shot.