I told a classmate from my community college that I have decided to be a Neonatal Nurse. She said, "Oh, yeah...everybody that goes into nursing wants to be a neonatal nurse. It is very competitive to get in the NICU. You have to work on other floors for a couple of years and keep applying to work in NICU." That kind of bummed me out.
Is that true? Do most of you want to work in the NICU? I thought not everyone would like to work with such small babies. I figured most nurses would like patients who could actually speak or tell you what is hurting them. What type of nurse do you all hope to become?
Well...since I haven't started clinicals yet, I might end up changing my mind more than once, but at this point, I've always been interested in ER. That would probably be my first choice, with pediatrics a close second.
Specializes in Critical Care: Cardiac, VAD, Transplant.
Absolutely no psych, no management, very little interest in NICU or OB/GYN. I think I like the idea of ER, but I also like PEDS, but not the standard PEDS, more like those with severe illness (maybe PICU). I want something intense and something that will keep me moving. I have 3 more clinical semesters to decide.
Yeah im in love with the NICU.. I havent heard of anyone else who wants it though.. 90% of my class wants peds..which I do not want at all, I'm all about the NICU =) However when I move back home after graduation there is only 1 hospital in my area that has a NICU and they only take 1 or 2 new grads a year so i'm stressing =(
I work at a large teaching hospital with a VERY large NICU and they hire new grads all the time!
Good luck!
And ya, don't listen to people who really have no experience and are only going by what they "think" or what "someone told me". It's usually crap. I think the most popular areas most of my classmates are interested in are ICUs (all types) and OB/GYN.
I'm planning on critical care. I *need* the fast paced environment and the pressure in order to be my best. I had thought about ER but too much on again off again action plus a lot of things like people who are just drunk, etc. Also, probably the biggest factor is that I'm planning on working at NIH and they have no ER so that would throw a kink in my plans. lol!
I have to admit, I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I love the natural rush of adrenaline pumping through my body. I'm also the one who looks around the amuzement park for the tallest, fastest, heart pumping ride there is!!! So, I'd have to say the emergency care would be right up my alley! I cannot wait!!!
wannabenursetx
86 Posts
Well...since I haven't started clinicals yet, I might end up changing my mind more than once, but at this point, I've always been interested in ER. That would probably be my first choice, with pediatrics a close second.