Thinking of applying for a NICU job

[harley91013]

I'm going to be as honest as I can be, and I'm looking for input. I'm starting to think I hate nursing. I've primarily been doing mental health nursing for the last 1.5years and I know its not for me, in that time period I also did critical care for 6months but didn't stay (because I felt I was at risking my license due to other nurses behaviors) I did like it (a little stressful). I also lost my daughter at this time due to preterm labor. That is when I was introduced to nicu. I've been thinking lately of trying nicu but I'm not sure I'm going to like it and I don't want to keep moving from job to job so I don't know what to do. I like critical care, I have a new passion for the babies and I understand what the parents are feeling... Any input. What do you like about NICU, What do you hate or dislike about NICU? Any advise is welcomed

[LisaNICUrn, BSN]

Wow, so sorry for all you have been going through, I can not completely answer your question but want to post since no one else has yet. I too started out in psych, been here about 2 years. I love it, but want to branch out and get some other medical experience. I applied at many hospital, all positions but med surg because I have no desire for med surg. I was hired almost on the spot for NICU after my interview. I don't start for 3 weeks, but I can tell you from my experience talking to veteran nurses that many nurses change departments many times through out their career, mainly because it does get so stressful, whether acute in an intensive care unit or just burned out of med surg and just wanting something new. I wouldn't go around every year or two, stay a while somewhere and get experience though, that way you can tell potential employers that you are moving around for nursing experience, not because you hate every position you go in to. Good luck to you though, you sound like a very strong person and would probably do great in the NICU, especially since you to have the knowledge from the family side.