16 y/o future RN looking for advice.

[McKenna Rose]

Hi! I am 16 years old, and I am looking into being a NICU nurse when I grow up. I have a few disabilities such as scoliosis and migraines which are painful for me and so I think I would prefer to do NICU step down as I understand it is a little bit easier than just regular NICU? I want to do nursing because at the end of my life I want to feel like I really contributed to something meaningful. I guess I would be working night shifts also because I would want to spend the day with my future kids. So, I guess I am asking for more of an explanation of what step down is, what it is like being a NICU nurse, working night shifts at a hospital and the pathway to getting there besides getting your BSN and passing the NCLEX. Thanks!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

McKenna Rose said:

the pathway to getting there besides getting your BSN and passing the NCLEX.

You need, at minimum, an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ASN). Both ASN and BSN give you opportunity to take NCLEX. Every state requires you to take the NCLEX in order to get a nursing license in their state. There are four levels of NICUs. Level I is the lowest acuity (least sick). Level III takes the highest acuity patients. Level IV is the same as a Level III, but they also care for patients that require surgery. I work at a Level IV and we have an Intermediate Nursery (step-down). Our Intermediate Nursery is equivalent to a Level I or II. 

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

"a few disabilities such as scoliosis and migraines which are painful for me and so I think I would prefer to do NICU step down a"There are no easy nursing jobs,with disabilities you need medical proof of your ability to do your job safely,you can not be calling out sick too often,you might be required a MD note everytime you are out sick x number of days,some nurses find a job with research,less standing ,more sitting in an office suits their disability,

after you graduate you need to become experienced,find a place that hires new grads,and be required to float to other areas as needed,night shifts are part of it,the probation period should be error free,good time mgmt,good attendance,you will be tested andcertified in CPR,adult and peds,NICU is a Nals requirement,math,meds,cardiac test, and much more.Putting all that into place step by step you can do it,Good Luck.