Can you work in the NICU with a BSN?

Can you work in the NICU with a BSN?

You can have either an ADN or a BSN to work as a neonatal nurse. It takes a special person to become a nurse, but that’s even more true for those who go on to become Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses. These dedicated professionals care for the most fragile patients there are — sick and premature newborns.

Can you be a NICU nurse as a new grad?

However, many hospitals offer a new graduate nursing residency in neonatal nursing, which allows a new graduate to gain paid work experience and additional education on how to care for critically ill infants. In order to practice, RN candidates must obtain state licensure.

How do you become a NICU nurse after college?

1. Understand the specialized role of a neonatal nurse.
2. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
3. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and become a Registered Nurse (RN)
4. Build clinical experience working in a neonatal facility.
5. Take and pass a national neonatal certification exam.
6. Begin your career as a certified neonatal nurse!

Do NICU nurses hold babies?

For the most part NICU nurses spend time providing direct patient care, teaching parents about basic infant care, assisting parents with holding their babies skin-to-skin, or creating an atmosphere where infants can sleep in a developmentally appropriate environment.

What is a NICU nurse called?

The job title “neonatal nurse” describes nurses that work with critically ill infants. “NICU nurses” are neonatal nurses who work specifically in the neonatal intensive care unit. In other words, NICU nurses are neonatal nurses, but not all neonatal nurses work in the NICU.

Is it hard to get a job in the NICU as a new grad?

Working as a new grad NICU nurse is hard work. Many hospitals don’t hire new grads and the ones that do are oftentimes incredibly competitive. If you don’t get an interview don’t give up! Start on another unit and once you have some experience under your belt, apply again!

Are NICU nurses in demand?

Neonatal nursing is one of the most in-demand sub-specialties of the profession. With over 40,000 infants born with low birth weight, the need for nurses who have the skills and knowledge to care for extremely vulnerable babies is getting higher year by year.

What is the best college to become a neonatal nurse?

Best Colleges for Neonatal Nursing

• Duke University-School of Nursing.
• East Carolina University- College of Nursing.
• Northeastern University- School of Nursing.
• University of California – San Francisco-UCSF School of Nursing.
• University of Florida- College of Medicine.
• The University of Texas at Austin- School of Nursing.

Do Neonatal Nurses deliver babies?

Neonatal nursing focuses on the care of newborns, from the moment of birth through the first month of life. Nurses who work in this specialty care for healthy as well as sick newborns. Depending on the circumstances, NICU nursing may also begin right in the delivery room itself or at the mother’s bedside.

Can you refuse NICU care?

Your concern for the newborn child is important. Clearly, parents have a right to refuse treatment for their infant, but one wonders if those decisions are being made with a clear mind or are clouded by the use of alcohol and/or drugs.

Do NICU nurses change diapers?

Constantly on your feet, between patients making sure their temperature hasn’t risen or dropped, their blood pressure is safe and their medication is administered. Hour upon hour, this is your routine. In addition, the nurse has to feed them every three hours, rock them when they cry and change their diapers.

How do I get hired in the NICU?

To become a NICU RN, you need to earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). While there are nurses with associate’s degrees in nursing who work in the NICU, most hospitals prefer to hire RNs with a bachelor’s degree in nursing plus some minimum number of years of clinical experience.