What preceptorship would be most helpful for getting into nicu?

[JJ1994]

Hi everyone

Im in my last semester of nursing school. My goal is to be a nicu nurse. I know that can be hard as a new grad but I'm applying to some residency programs along with some other jobs in case nicu doesn't work out.

I was really hoping to do my preceptorship in nicu but that is not an option. I was hoping to get some advice on what floor might make me more competitive when applying for jobs. We can select our top three from er, med surg, oncology, a couple different types of ICUs, mother/baby, and pediatrics. I was thinking I should list peds as my first choice and mother/baby as my second. But i also thought that icy experience might be best.

There is another hospital we can go to that would be mother baby/l&d/nursery but it's pretty far and I don't drive so I would be spending a lot on cabs. But if thats the best option, I would be willing to do that.

Please help

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Med/Surg, ICU, or Peds would help. Nursery would be good, but Mother/baby might be more maternity than Nursery. It is most important to hone your assessment skills. I started as a new grad in a level IV NICU (preceptorship in a different Level IV NICU), but the rest of my group had experience in adult nursing. Once you graduate, look for New Grad Pediatric Residencies that have a NICU option or apply to NICUs in large children's hospitals. They have established training programs that have classroom time to get you accustomed to the unique world of NICU. My best tool for looking for a NICU job was to use indeed.com and search "new grad residency NICU".

[llg, PhD, RN]

I would think peds first ... then mother/baby ... then ICU. But the mother/baby and ICU are equal. The mother/baby is probably more maternity, but it would demonstrate a strong interest in neonates and give you a good foundation on newborn assessment, the transition to extra-uterine life, and working with new parents (all crucial to the foundation of NICU nursing). The ICU gives you the ICU environment, but it would be all adults -- and have little in common with the NICU other than the high-tech, intense environment.

If I were in your position, I would ask yourself ..."If I can't get a job in NICU, what type of unit would be my 2nd choice" and go with that one. You want to have a good experience in your first job, so pick with your heart. I think any of those 3 would be OK for a future NICU nurse.

[BSN<RN]

Is Peds ICU an option? That would be a great stepping stone, in my opinion. If not, I would advise doing Pediatrics or Mother/Baby. If at all possible, you will need something that gives you some experience with baby assessment and management of care that incorporated conditions and skills encountered in the NICU.

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

I'd go with mother-baby first. Gives you a good foundation of the normal neonate.