Working on 2 units???

[Katie612]

I am a new grad and have definitely have interest in critical care. I accepted a job in a NICU and I am wondering if its unheard of for nurses to also work on a different floor. I am also interested in adult intensive care and I fear working only with neonates will limit my knowledge and exposure to different things.

After I am fully oriented, would I be able to pick up shifts or work a shift a week in an adult ICU? I am just curious if people do this... I realize it may depend on the hospital, managers, ect...

Thanks!

[KatieBell]

More likely you would be able to pick up a shift on the pediatric floor. NICU is so different from Adult ICU, you would need to have a full orientation there as well. As a new grad in NICU, I think you will be very busy for the first 6 months to a year, just learning the ropes in the NICU, without adding the Adult ICU on top of it.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

You could do what a lot of nurses do: take a part time second job for 1 or 2 days weekly at another hospital. Perhaps there's a part-time position available elsewhere in adult ICU, PICU, or critical care.

[zacarias, ASN, RN]

I think it's a great to pick up a shift occasionally on another unit that interests you. I would suggest working on your home unit for at least six months before picking up shifts on another unit.