[pugmama]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread. It makes me realize that choosing to accept a position in the NICU is the right choice for me.

[preemieRNkate]

Originally Posted by KimblyRN

one nurse was telling me a story of how back in the day when the Neos did circumcisions, and they used a board to strap down the arms and legs to prevent moving. One little boy somehow wiggled his arms free of the straps and reached up and grabbed the Neo by the hair (and he only had a small ring of hair left) pull his head down and then proceeded to pee in the Neos mouth. I nearly wet my pants when I heard the story and if I had been there I am sure I would have.

OMG, that is hysterical!

[preemieRNkate]

My very first primary is now 2.5 years old. He was a sick 27 weeker (spent time on HFOV, pressors, multiple transfusions, clinical NEC, impossible to get IV access on). I'm not sure how much 2.5 year olds are supposed to talk, but man, this kid seems smart! He carries on conversations, tells you all about what he did that day, what his older brother is up to, how much his baby sister cries. He is a funny little kid! I saw him last in September, before that in July. A few weeks ago his mom e-mailed me to tell me that everytime he sees someone with blond hair like mine, he says, "Mommy, is that Kate?"

How great is that??

[erinsprincess]

I love all the points made! I especially love the two page letters thanking the doctors and RRTs, with a page and a half of it dedicated to thanking the nurses. Always makes me tear up, and makes it worth all the BS you had to put up with. Also makes you realize it does'nt go unnoticed.

If all of those wonderful points dont work, just think about all the cookies and treats that parents bring in because they can't think of any other way to say thank you, then to make our scrubs seem tighter lol.

[swiss brian]

best thing-parents who come back for follow up check and bring the lovely bouncy baby up to the nicu to show us. or getting birthday cards from parents with then and now pictures.makes the shift work, the stress and the not so good moments worthwhile

[littleneoRN]

I laugh when you have a like a 1000 g kiddo, and you get them tucked in nice and cuddly prone with all your proper developmental positioning. You look back maybe 10 or 15 minutes later and she has somehow climbed up out of your bendy bumper and got herself turned sideways (or upside down...) in the isolette. Head hard up against the door and toes tucked in between the platform and the side wall. And they're sound asleep but look like they're about to exit their little plastic house. And you're oh so glad the doors latch tight on your isolette. They may look a little scrawny but they are strong little buggers!

[elizabells]

The grandfather of my late primary just sent a letter to the unit and the VP of nursing praising all us primaries - said we were remarkable women who exemplified everything that nurses could be at their best. I cried, but in a good way.

[preemieRNkate]

Originally Posted by elizabells

The grandfather of my late primary just sent a letter to the unit and the VP of nursing praising all us primaries - said we were remarkable women who exemplified everything that nurses could be at their best. I cried, but in a good way.

That is really nice! It always hits me in a strange way when families who have lost a baby have nothing but praise and thanks for the nurses. At a time when they should be grieving and thinking of themselves and their family, they think of us. What an awesome job we have.

[CookieCritter]

Originally Posted by preemieRNkate

That is really nice! It always hits me in a strange way when families who have lost a baby have nothing but praise and thanks for the nurses. At a time when they should be grieving and thinking of themselves and their family, they think of us. What an awesome job we have.

My mom's friend lost her preemie grandson about 4 years ago. He was a 26 weeker. Their family talks about the nurses literally every day. They told me it is because the nurses were always honest about the baby's condition and were compassionate to them. They had never experienced a preemie and then later a baby death. Now the family has a 6 month old granddaughter (same parents of the preemie) and they brought this baby up to see the other baby's old nurses. Just to show them that life does continue on and in all honesty they actually learned to NOT be so over protective with this new one.

[AbearsdenRNC]

Standing at bedside charting and you feel like someone is watching you. You peer under the covers of the incubator and there is just enough of a crack in the cover to see that adorable 28 weeker watching you through his CPAP apparatus and cap. MELT!

Placing an irritable vented twink on their tummy and watching them melt into the nest with a perceptable smile around the ETT.