[stnurse2008]

I am cuurently in nursing school and my dream is to become a NICU nurse and possibly a neonate practioner. I do not know a whole lot about the NICU and was wondering if anyone could just give me some information on it. I am looking at a hospital in Colorado Springs, Memorial hospital so if anyone works there or knows anything about it I would love to hear it. Also I was wondering about the levels, while searching about hospitals I found where they were hiring a level 3 NICU nurse, could anyone elaborate on the levels and what they are for me! Thanks

[LilPeanut]

Levels refer to the level of care they can provide. Higher the number, higher the level of care.

And as I've been going on about ad nauseum today, is to be prepared emotionally for the fact that the NICU is not happy flower kitty land. In the past week we've had two major losses (and maybe 1 or two minor). First was a 9mo who had severe BPD and her little brain was just atrophied. Her incredibly brave parents saw that (it developed within the past month or two) realized that she was gone, but her body was just being tortured to hold on and they had the courage to turn off the vent and let her be at peace. The second was about 9 days old and had NEC totalis. Stomach to anus: dead.

And probably 3 more will be gone by next week. We have some really bad and sad cases up there right now.

[ginger58]

Originally Posted by stnurse2008

I am cuurently in nursing school and my dream is to become a NICU nurse and possibly a neonate practioner. I do not know a whole lot about the NICU and was wondering if anyone could just give me some information on it. I am looking at a hospital in Colorado Springs, Memorial hospital so if anyone works there or knows anything about it I would love to hear it. Also I was wondering about the levels, while searching about hospitals I found where they were hiring a level 3 NICU nurse, could anyone elaborate on the levels and what they are for me! Thanks

I worked at Memorial in NICU as an NNP for about 10 years. It's a good unit. They remodeled all the nurseries and expanded the beds within the past ten years. A level 3 takes care of the sicker babies and they have had some 22 weekers that they have kept. Memorial sends very few infants to Denver except for ECMO. A level 4 would have ECMO and a few other things. NNPs cover the unit 24 hours per day. No residents. Transport team. RTs dedicated to unit.
There's an excellent NNP program there at the Master's level so you would need your BSN to get into it. You really need several years under your belt in NICU to go on.
In the past they have taken a lot of nurses without NICU experience but reading some of the CO postings about relocating I'm not sure what the hiring situation is anymore. If I can give you any more info just let me know.