How do I transition from 1yr experience in mother-baby to the NICU? NICU is my dream but don't know how to get in there with no ICU level experience

Share with management your desire to work in the Nicu. This is a good time to get in if you don’t have experience

First, decide where are hospitals you are willing to work at. Find out if they are tertiary center or do they have an arrangement to refer out to one. I found working at a Level 2 frustrating, even though I interned (only one week!) at the tertiary center. I think it might have taken me two years at a tertiary center to get enough in house classes and mentorship to feel equipped to work at a Level Two. Even so, Level two’s often don’t have enough MDs in house to attend to babies when tubes move, lungs malfunction or other emergencies. I still have PTSD from working two years night shift at Level two, so recommend a good teaching hospital that is tertiary center with formal classes and training program.

Would you be able to speak to the manager of the NICU at your current facility? You can ask for an opportunity to shadow there and let them know that that is where you would like to transition and go from there.