[doglvr]

Help! I need your advice- I'm graduating in May and just started interviewing for RN jobs. I had an interview for a NICU last week, it went well and the nurse manager requested that I come in and shadow a nurse for a few hours. I've never done this before, have no experience in the NICU and I am SO SO SO NERVOUS! I have no idea what to expect!!!! I don't know what the day is going to be like... I would assume for legal reasons I won't be doing any skills, but I'm not sure. Do you think the nurses are going to quiz me?!?! What can I expect? Is there any way I can prepare for this? Words can't describe how nervous and excited I am!
Any input would be appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

[KIDNEYSareLIFE]

Hey! Congrats on getting the opportunit y to shadow! I would say be willing to learn, ask questions, stay interested, offer to help the nurse with things, and be polite to everyone. You may be right about not being able to do skills because of legal reasons but I'm not sure. I think going into NICU with no experience (which is what I did) that they know you aren't going to know exactly what is going on or the right answer to every question, but I would think as long as you show interest then they can see that you are willing to learn and do what it takes to be successfull in the NICU. GOOD LUCK and have a great time. The NICU is really an amazing place.

[BittyBabyGrower]

When we have people shadow, we don't have them do anything but observe and ask all the questions they want to. You haven't been hired, so you can't be put to work or expect to know anything! go and have a great time!

[sweetnoel]

Don't stress. The NICU can be overwhelming and emotional. The nurses probably wont expect much when your there....just to observe and take it all in. Be interested and ask questions. Good luck!

[NICU_babyRN]

Don't stress and have fun. BUT...KEEP IN MIND this is just as much part of your interview!!!!
You have been offered a day to shadow surely they will see how you interact with the staff and they will get feedback from you AND the nurse you shadowed.
Relax and have fun but don't talk about unprofessional things. Keep focus on what you are there to do. Ask questions about the NICU routine, types of patients you have, the orientation process....
Good luck, have fun and enjoy

[WDWpixieRN]

I really enjoyed my 4-hour shadow in the NICU a few months ago. Had it not been the holidays and my needing any time I could get to catch up with Christmas stuff, I'd have stayed her whole 12-hour shift if I could have!! She was just so fantastic and patient!!

Primarily I just observed, asked a lot of questions as mentioned above, and offered to help where I felt it was safe -- helped change a bed while she held a baby, and offered with other small tasks. At one point she handed me a bottle and asked me to feed a baby!! I was THRILLED!!

I hope you have as great an experience as I did!! I have started interviewing for Graduate Nurse positions and have my fingers crossed for the NICU!!

[doglvr]

THANK YOU for responding! It really does mean a lot to me.
I still have a few more days before I shadow, but I'm already SUPER nervous! I just really want this position, and the more I think about how bad I want it the more nervous I get!
Everday I read the postings on this website and just think how excited I am to be as knowledgable as you all. I am really looking forward to continue my education and learn as much as I can. My dream is to be able to go into work and have a parent say to me "thank god you're going to be taking care of my baby." I know I still have such a long way to go but I'm really looking forward to the journey.
I'll keep you all posted!

[WDWpixieRN]

Don't spend too much time NERVOUS....be excited and curious, but nervous is not something I would spend much energy on before a shadow. Hopefully they will pair you up with someone who's enthusiastic and willing to explain as much as possible. They will not be quizzing you or evaluating you; this is your time to evaluate THEM. Is the NICU what you want? How is the interaction between the staff? What are the working conditions like? What is the mood of the staff. I saw something on another thread that mentioned that we need to remember we are also interviewing the hospitals/units we are applying to. You are there to observe this unit as a possible future site to be employed in. Keeping that in mind will hopefully keep the butterflies to a minimum!!

I have a shadow set up this week for a unit I applied to. I am really looking forward to it for the reasons I have listed above. The interview is already over, lol; this will be the FUN part!!

Enjoy and do let us know how it goes!!

[doglvr]

Just wanted to update you all on how my day of shadowing went. The experience wasn't at all what I was expecting.. It was very informal and everyone was so nice and helpful! I made sure I introduced myself to each of the nurses and spent a some time with each of them. I got to feed a few of the infants so that was exciting. Besides that, I really felt like the purpose was for me to get to know the staff. I actually enjoyed it so much I stayed a little later than I was supposed to!
The nurse manager wasn't in when I was there, but I made sure I called her and left a message to thank her for the opportunity. I left a voice message but haven't heard back.
I'm not sure if there is anything else for me to do at this point, besides cross my fingers and wait. If I get offered this position I would take it in a heartbeat, without a doubt this is what I want to do, and having the opportunity to shadow in the NICU only confirmed my belief.
Thanks again for your help. I'll keep you posted!!

[preemieRNkate]

Originally Posted by doglvr

Just wanted to update you all on how my day of shadowing went. The experience wasn't at all what I was expecting.. It was very informal and everyone was so nice and helpful! I made sure I introduced myself to each of the nurses and spent a some time with each of them. I got to feed a few of the infants so that was exciting. Besides that, I really felt like the purpose was for me to get to know the staff. I actually enjoyed it so much I stayed a little later than I was supposed to!
The nurse manager wasn't in when I was there, but I made sure I called her and left a message to thank her for the opportunity. I left a voice message but haven't heard back.
I'm not sure if there is anything else for me to do at this point, besides cross my fingers and wait. If I get offered this position I would take it in a heartbeat, without a doubt this is what I want to do, and having the opportunity to shadow in the NICU only confirmed my belief.
Thanks again for your help. I'll keep you posted!!

Glad you enjoyed your experience! Good luck!