3 answers
Teyanna
Student
Ocala, Florida
1
Question
Updated
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As a high school student who's about to graduate, how do I know which college classes I need to take to become a NICU nurse Will there be different requirements/ classes for this career??
This is my dream career goal. I love babies and I would love to help them and take care of them in any way possible. I plan on finishing associates at my local community college and then transferring to a university, but I was wondering if there are different classes I would need to take since I want to work with infants?
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3 answers
Cindy Muhonja
Registered Nurse
49
Answers
Ashburn, Virginia
Updated
Cindy’s Answer
Hello Future Nurse,
You don't need specific classes. The nursing profession is comprehensive. By the time you leave nursing school, you will be qualified to work in all areas of nursing (except perhaps the operating room and NICU). I have not seen students being allowed in NICU for clinicals, so maybe when you do preceptorships try to get a preceptorship in the NICU. Clinicals will take you through all the important areas of nursing although some schools do not do pediatrics. My advise would be that towards the end of your training, talk to your clinical people and really request for an area that you want to work in. By the time you do about 6 weeks preceptorship in that area, they will probably hire you. Training a nurse costs a lot, and having one who has precepted on a floor reduces that cost. When you graduate, chances are that your first employer will give you 2 to 3 months of training preceptorship on the job - and possibly one year residency. You will be fine. You just need to look for the right job.
One thing you have to be careful about in niche areas is that it is hard to move laterally. If your first job is as a NICU nurse, it would be very hard to move to other areas like med-surge, or regular ICU, or cardiac. Take the time to volunteer there first to see if its a good fit. You may not hold the babies (they are supertiny), but at least you have a clue.
You don't need specific classes. The nursing profession is comprehensive. By the time you leave nursing school, you will be qualified to work in all areas of nursing (except perhaps the operating room and NICU). I have not seen students being allowed in NICU for clinicals, so maybe when you do preceptorships try to get a preceptorship in the NICU. Clinicals will take you through all the important areas of nursing although some schools do not do pediatrics. My advise would be that towards the end of your training, talk to your clinical people and really request for an area that you want to work in. By the time you do about 6 weeks preceptorship in that area, they will probably hire you. Training a nurse costs a lot, and having one who has precepted on a floor reduces that cost. When you graduate, chances are that your first employer will give you 2 to 3 months of training preceptorship on the job - and possibly one year residency. You will be fine. You just need to look for the right job.
One thing you have to be careful about in niche areas is that it is hard to move laterally. If your first job is as a NICU nurse, it would be very hard to move to other areas like med-surge, or regular ICU, or cardiac. Take the time to volunteer there first to see if its a good fit. You may not hold the babies (they are supertiny), but at least you have a clue.
Thank you so much for your advice! I'll be sure to keep this in mind
Teyanna
Kassi Adams
RN- Clinical Consultant
1
Answer
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Updated
Kassi’s Answer
Congratulations on choosing such a fulfilling career!
You don’t need to take any specific classes right now. Once you join a nursing program, they will teach you what you need for entry-level jobs. It's a good idea to check with local hospitals about their requirements. I went to nursing school with several new graduates who went directly into the NICU.
To see if you like working in the NICU, consider volunteering there. Many hospitals offer opportunities to read to and hold babies, especially those without visitors.
As you near high school graduation, focus on your pre-nursing coursework before worrying too much about specific career paths. Keep your goals in mind, and remember that the first step is getting into a nursing program. Once you’re in, clinical training will let you explore different specialties, including the NICU.
Best wishes for your future career! I might be biased, but it's an amazing field!
You don’t need to take any specific classes right now. Once you join a nursing program, they will teach you what you need for entry-level jobs. It's a good idea to check with local hospitals about their requirements. I went to nursing school with several new graduates who went directly into the NICU.
To see if you like working in the NICU, consider volunteering there. Many hospitals offer opportunities to read to and hold babies, especially those without visitors.
As you near high school graduation, focus on your pre-nursing coursework before worrying too much about specific career paths. Keep your goals in mind, and remember that the first step is getting into a nursing program. Once you’re in, clinical training will let you explore different specialties, including the NICU.
Best wishes for your future career! I might be biased, but it's an amazing field!
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Teyanna
Elishah Franckiewicz
Teacher, Writer, Instructional Designer
13
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Elishah’s Answer
First, congratulations on pursuing your dream career! I'm going to answer your question more generally than specifically because different states have different requirements, and the same class can be called something different from one school to the next.
While nurses with a traditional degree can work in the NICU, if you want this area to be your career, you will want to take specialized classes or even get an advanced degree.
The best place to begin looking into course requirements is to speak to your community college counselor sooner than later. Most of the courses you will take the first two years at community college are for general education requirements that you can transfer to a four-year college. But you can find out from a counselor if specific classes offered at the community college might help your academic pursuits when you transfer.
You'll want to look into the classes available at your transfer college to see if there are any prerequisites you can take at community college to help get ready. Most community colleges have visiting representatives from four-year colleges that you can meet with to help you make the best choices. If yours doesn't, you can always contact the nursing department at your next college of choice and make arrangements to speak to someone there.
Don't let all the coursework stress you out. Though you have a few years of hard work ahead of you, your motivation and self-determination can see you through. I bet you'll be a fantastic NICU nurse!
Good luck,
E.F.
While nurses with a traditional degree can work in the NICU, if you want this area to be your career, you will want to take specialized classes or even get an advanced degree.
The best place to begin looking into course requirements is to speak to your community college counselor sooner than later. Most of the courses you will take the first two years at community college are for general education requirements that you can transfer to a four-year college. But you can find out from a counselor if specific classes offered at the community college might help your academic pursuits when you transfer.
You'll want to look into the classes available at your transfer college to see if there are any prerequisites you can take at community college to help get ready. Most community colleges have visiting representatives from four-year colleges that you can meet with to help you make the best choices. If yours doesn't, you can always contact the nursing department at your next college of choice and make arrangements to speak to someone there.
Don't let all the coursework stress you out. Though you have a few years of hard work ahead of you, your motivation and self-determination can see you through. I bet you'll be a fantastic NICU nurse!
Good luck,
E.F.
Your advice was so helpful!
Teyanna