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I think I want to be a NICU nurse, I'm not for sure yet though. What schooling should I do just in case I change my mind from wanting to be a NICU nurse? Is it better to go to a 4 year college or a 2 year and transfer? What schooling should I look into doing?

I live in a small town in Iowa. Thinking about going to a private college, but the University of Iowa is a great medical school. I still need to go on visits but not sure what I want to do. I love babies and working with kids, #nursing #medicine #college

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Angelee’s Answer

I agree. Going into a 4 year college will allow you to take your test and get your license AFTER your bachelors of Nursing degree. The difference between an associates at a 2 year college and then afterwards going into a 4 year college is that some hospitals do not accept nurses with an associates only. That’s actually the issue I’m going through. The Magnet hospitals (the Pediatric hospital I would like to go to is Magnet) require you to have a Bachelors. So if you have your associates you’ll have to work and then go get your bachelors which is fine unless your dream is to become a NICU nurse and the only jobs they will offer is Adult Med Surg. This doesn’t always happen but it happens often. Of course, different states have different situations. For example, I’m in Florida.

If I had a choice of going back I would have done the 4 year college and while in college volunteered in a clinic (volunteer looks great on a job application and they would give you a great recommendation letter)
Thank you comment icon Angelee, You are correct. A lot of facilities are focusing on MAGNET status, and want a workforce with BSN/MSN. Unfortunately, some very experienced and dedicated nurses are not always able to go back to school. Deborah Williams
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Eyasmine’s Answer

I think that no matter what you decide to study, you should still go to a 4-year college. If you're just getting into college, you'll have to complete general ed's (math, english, sciences, etc.) So I think while finishing those general ed's, you will have some time to decide if you want to pursue becoming a NICU nurse or if you decide to go a different path. I suggest finding backup majors/careers that you'd love besides becoming a NICU nurse or going to nursing school.

By the time you reach your second semester or second year, that's when you can decide on what you want and hopefully start taking classes for your major.

In my personal experience, I had no idea what I wanted to do but I majored in journalism my first year and then for my second year I decided on architecture. By the time I started architecture, I already had most of my requirements done for an architecture degree by the general ed's I completed during my first year.
Thank you comment icon Eyasmine, thank you! That was very helpful. I don't know if you're familiar with colleges in Iowa. But if I wanted to go to a private college for 4 years, should I then transfer to a 2 year that is more focused on nursing? Because one of the colleges I'm looking at going to, has a nursing program but it's a very small one. Just wondering your thoughts on that. Whitney
Thank you comment icon No problem! And I think that would be a wise decision. Does the 4 year college, University of Iowa have a nursing program? Because if it does, why not see if you could get into that one? Eyasmine Rosal
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Nicole’s Answer

Private colleges are good if you can afford them, but I am from Iowa too and believe U of Iowa has an excellent reputation.
Thank you comment icon Hi Nicole, the student asked about attending a 4 year university straight away or transferring into a nursing program. It sounds like you're advocating for 4 years but can you elaborate on why private schools in particular? Gurpreet Lally, Admin
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Sue’s Answer

Hi there - my daughter is now a MICU nurse. She started nursing at James Madison University thinking NICU and found it had limited initial opportunities right out of school. You should definitely get the 4-yr. degree since many jurisdictions require that in order to sit for the licensing exam. After college, serving at a teaching hospital for a couple of years will further increase your skills and help you determine your specialty if any. Heading to James Madison in Virginia opened lots of opportunities for my daughter in local teaching hospitals. She spent 2 years in Washington DC at a teaching hospital and truly gained a wealth of knowledge. Hope this helps, and thanks for considering this wonderful service career!
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Deborah’s Answer

Hi Whitney--great question!
I would focus on completing college the best way you can-but try not to waste $$ or time. There are many paths to take, as all circumstances are not the same. I would be certain that whatever path you take to be sure the school is fully accredited. Also, I recommend spending as much time with the specialty as possible---shadowing, volunteering, etc. The current state of affairs may not allow this now, but keep it in mind. Also, connect with online specialty groups for real-life inside information. Personally, my path took me to a 4-year college, then community college and then back to a 4 -year -for BS.N. In my case, there was a stop-n-go routine due to financial limitations.
The key was to stay on course despite life's many many roadblocks. Also, it's OK not to have it all figured out in the first year or so! Best of luck!

Deborah
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Rachel’s Answer

Any 4 year university should provide you with the classes and degree you need to become a NICU nurse. While I think you should definitely graduate with a bachelor's rather than associates, I don't think there is any harm in saving money for a year or two and taking classes at a 2 year community college. You can then transfer those classes over to the four year school and no one will know the difference.

I would say that there is not much difference in the education you get between public and private schools, so public may be a better option if you need to save money.
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Angela’s Answer

If there is a strong possibility that you want to be a NICU nurse, I recommend the college or university that can offer you a desirable, accredited and affordable registered nursing education. If you are able to initially enter a 4-year institution without becoming highly in debt, then I would recommend starting there and working toward entering the program by knowing what exact required courses are needed and doing well in them and becoming familiar with the program by visiting with nursing professors and administration. Another option is to start off at a 2-year community college if available funds are limited, and then transferring to a 4-year school with a nursing program. In this case, it's always best to talk to the administration of the desired nursing program to determine what classes you need to take while you are at the 2-year institution so that there is no time, effort or funds wasted. Maybe doing some shadowing of nurses at a nearby hospital or clinic would give you a better idea before committing to a nursing education. Also, working as a certified nursing assistant in any capacity, but especially in the desired specialty, is invaluable in preparing you for your nursing education and future employment. There are many different specialties and levels in nursing and many times students determine their specialty while they perform their clinical rotations during the nursing program. Once you obtain your college nursing degree, and your RN license, and you still want to work in the NICU, then you will need to gain additional training as a NICU nurse. By the way, there seems to be an increase in the need for neonatal nurse practitioners so keep that in mind for your long-term career goals in case you do decide to become a NICU nurse. Of course, you are always able to change course if you find nursing is not for you. In my personal experience, I obtained a bachelor's in psychology and then years later used the credits to transfer to a nursing program. Life always has twists and turns which keeps it interesting! Persistence and hard work will get you to where you want to be! Good luck to you!
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Yaeji’s Answer

Why nicu? Did you shadow or intern? Just curious there are so many career paths in pediatrics and in nursing in general. I’m in pediatric cvicu and I love it so much. We get nicu Patients with cardiac defects too. My best advice is to get into a 4 year bsn- most well known hospitals find that to be more appealing. Then take any peds job you can get and try to transfer into an icu if you are unable to get in as a new grad.
Thank you comment icon Yes, I shadowed in the NICU department a few weeks ago. I also love kids, especially infants so I'm drawn to the NICU because I would be taking care of infants all day! What age group are the patients that you see? Thank you, Whitney Whitney
Thank you comment icon We see a wide range of ages. We get premature babies, up to teens. But I’d say most of them land in the newborn to 4-5 age. It’s hard to say since heart surgery for congenti heart defects is typically not a cure- just a surgical intervention to hold them over till the next surgery .. or transplant. Yaeji Kim
Thank you comment icon When you say you work in the cvicu, is that surgery? You're talking about heart surgery, are you a surgeron? Whitney
Thank you comment icon No I am a registered nurse. The cardiac icu is where babies / pediatric patients return from open heart surgery to recover. It is a very intense, high acuity, and specialized unit. Yaeji Kim
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Richard’s Answer

Get your nursing degree from a university. It would be great to save money by going to a community college for the first year or two. Once you are a nurse you will have flexibility to stick with neonatal nursing or you could try other nursing jobs. There are so many options for nurses: hospital vs office, adults vs pediatrics, direct patient care vs management. Also nurses can pursue advanced degrees as nurse practitioners or CRNAs
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