16 y/o future RN looking for advice.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Sep 6, 2023

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 · Nov 8, 2023

"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.

Editorial Team / Admin · May 16

Hello McKenna Rose,

I think it's amazing that you're so young, and reflecting on your career choices and specialty so early. I always assumed we would mostly work with the geriatric populations, so it basically took be a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and working as a research assistant to realize there are other areas of nursing we can work in. I actually have worked a bit in the NICU, and I do find it to a lovely area to work. If you are able to land your preceptorship in the NICU, you may be able to work in this specialty as a new grad. You may have to ask around your region, but from the two cities I've worked in (both in Canada), I would say it would be super rare for you to be floated to another unit if you work in the NICU as it's so specialized and general they need all hands on deck on that unit. I would maybe suggest discussing and evaluating your career goals with a career counsellor, or maybe your guidance counsellor? They may have a better gauge of whether nursing is a good fit for you, considering how you do have migraines and scoliosis as nursing is quite a physically and mentally demanding job. You just have to be mindful of that. Sometimes the night shifts may contribute to worse migraines, so keep that in mind.

If you need a good resource on the BEST BSN programs in the USA feel free to read this article: 10 Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs | 2024 - Nursing Degree Programs (allnurses.com)

If you want to learn more about being a NICU nurse feel free to read this article: NICU Nurse: Job Description, Salary, and How to Become One - Nursing Careers (allnurses.com)

Ogamu1966 · Jun 5

Hello. Great to know you are interested in being a NICU nurse. It is very rewarding and with few challanges as the more babies have better outcomes. If you are prone to migraines and can stand the constant alarm monitors going off, go for it. In my experience as a NICU nurse, there is really no such thing as a 'step down' unit in the NICU as any baby can become critical in a hot second. Guess what? You step down baby just became a critical baby. You will still have to treat and document on your baby till you can hand over care to another nurse.

NICU also involves a lot of standing and walking. Please, consider your health and safety before embarking on any career that would put any strain on your emotional or physical wellbeing. Babies scream and cry often in the NICU. Be prepared for a not so quiet environment.

You can volunteer to be a 'cuddler' in a NICU if such services are needed in any NICU around you, so you can get a true feel for what it would be like for starters.

All the best.