I am currently an active duty soldier serving in the Army at a military hospital. I am planning to separate from active duty in 2014 and am looking into civilian jobs. I have always enjoyed babies but never had a chance to work with little ones--I've always been on adult oncology, adult infusion, adult med/surg, etc.
My question is, what kind of additional training do you have that is specific to NICU? I currently have BLS and ACLS. I have seen some hospitals list NRP (?) as a requirement and some hospitals have their own NICU courses that are 5-10 hours as a prereq.
I know I'm at a disadvantage applying for a NICU job without experience in peds. Aside from hospital-specific courses, is there anything I can get as far as certifications/classes that might prepare me or make me more competitive for a job in NICU?
A little off-topic from the original post, but in your experience, how do employers feel about tattoos below the elbow in the NICU? As I recall, you're not allowed to wear anything below your elbow in the NICU, so you couldn't cover a tattoo if you did have one.
To clarify, I do NOT have any tattoos visible while in short sleeves, but I am curious as to whether or not the attitude has changed since I left the civilian sector or if it's about the same.
I don't think tattoos are a problem. (depending on the subject matter!) Each unit/facility has it's own 'culture', so I'd think that would be something you'd have to check on later. I don't think it's a deal breaker in most cases.
Most places have a routine 'wash to the elbows' @ the start of the shift, and [frequent] handwashing the rest of the shift. That, and jewelry, or lack of, is more impt.
SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN
4 Articles; 2,058 Posts
Haha! I just ordered this the other night! :)
A little off-topic from the original post, but in your experience, how do employers feel about tattoos below the elbow in the NICU? As I recall, you're not allowed to wear anything below your elbow in the NICU, so you couldn't cover a tattoo if you did have one.
To clarify, I do NOT have any tattoos visible while in short sleeves, but I am curious as to whether or not the attitude has changed since I left the civilian sector or if it's about the same.