How likely is it for me to be able to go into the specialties I’m interested in: perioperative, Cath Lab, or NICU? I’m currently taking pre-requisites and I’m in my 40’s (this is a second career situation for me). Thanks!

You may need some critical care experience in an ICU or ED. If your hospitals nearby have a specialized program available for recent grads definitely research that. Talk to the Nursing /HR department they'll be able to point you in the direction you need.

Easy to start with periop without critical care experience but needs prioritizing , IV skills and critical thinking especially with lab results , ekg and history taking . As far as cathlab , critical care experience is a must , patients are sick ( except the scheduled walkie talkies) , ekg recognition is a must, hemodynamic monitoring . It is a fast pace environment . Get experience first . Good luck ! This coming from a cathlab nurse for 33 years

If your question is regarding getting a job as a new graduate in those specialties, see below:

1) cath lab, unlikely
2) perioperative, unlikely
3) NICU, maybe (neonatal)

All of my colleagues in cath lab have extensive critical care (PCU or ICU) experience. Perioperative is tough to get into and most RNs I know in those fields are veteran nurses. I applied internally to a surgical short stay after 4 years in PCU and did not get the job. LOTS of candidates!

I know one RN who did a clinical in the neonatal ICU for BSN (she did a career change too) and did get a new graduate job in the NICU. Ask to shadow or do a clinical rotation and that may improve your chances.