Did anyone go straight into the NICU right out of nursing school? I’m really leaning towards that but trying to be open minded.

I’ve been a NICU nurse for 40 years. Yes, I started as a new graduate. No, you do not need experience in med-surg. The orientation varies depending on the person but is typically 6-8 weeks with a preceptor.
I no longer work the bedside but am a data analyst for the NICU with an MSN with focus on informatics.

Yes! There are New Grad positions for NICU and LD, you have to search. 18 years ago I started in the NICU as a new grad in a level 3 NICU.

Yes I did but that was twenty years ago. I also had experience as a nurse tech in the hospital while I was in school. You could try it won’t hurt

trying doing pain management for doing pharmacticals but it doesnt have to be opioids because there is space life medicine