[Cajundago]

I agree with alot of what everyone is saying. My love of NICU started when I was a Senior Nursing student and we got to walk thru and Gavage feed a few babies (that was it in the late 80's). I was facinated by the babies, how tiny they were and how (most of them) had all their little fingers and toes! This was a new line of medicine changing all the time. This would keep me on my toes! And it has! Cajundago

[wanna-be-nurse]

Originally Posted by NoCrumping

I love the fact that every single thing that I do for that baby matters.... I love the hi tech atmosphere... I love being respected and made to feel necessary by the docs...I love being actually asked by the docs "what do you think we should do for this kid?" and them actually take my advice.... I love making a scared parent feel more at ease with just looking at their frail infant.......I love when a tiny microchip that I helped care for, is a chubby lil one, on full feeds, going home to their family......I love working alongside some of the best docs in neonatal medicine in the country...I also dont mind not ever being allowed to float (we can NEVER spare nurses).... I love telling people what I do, and really sensing their admiration.....I love the overtime in my paycheck, which there is plenty of........I love having a doc around 24/7 365, (not so in so many areas of nsg).I love having just 2 pts to focus on.......I also love going to the feeder grower room sometimes where I can wrap a baby like a burrito and feed her a bottle... and think... "I get paid for this, it doesnt get any better"......I love that I am entrusted with caring for these babies, I truely feel priveleged. I love that my borderline OCD is actually a good thing at work!!! ..........I love that I never have to work adult med/surg....I love that I love it so much!!!!! Almost everybody I ask, knew right away this is where they wanted to be. NICU isnt a place that can "grow" on you....I believe its a calling. It's scary, and if your not scared, then watch out... you -dont- know- what- you -dont- know!!!! Good luck, in getting the NICU spot... my school never had that option........

Do you mind if I ask where do you work at? I would also like to know where the rest of you work? I love that you feel that way. Its difficult to keep my head up when all you hear is the negative in nursing. But I guess nursing wouldn't be nursing if it wasn't for the negative.

[Gompers]

Originally Posted by wanna-be-nurse

Do you mind if I ask where do you work at? I would also like to know where the rest of you work? I love that you feel that way. Its difficult to keep my head up when all you hear is the negative in nursing. But I guess nursing wouldn't be nursing if it wasn't for the negative.

It's not a good idea for any of us to post what hospital we work at. With all the new HIPAA guidelines out there, we don't want to put ourselves at risk, since we do post here about patients and issues at work.

If there is a city in particular that you are interested in, maybe ask about that city and tell people to private message you if they're going to specifically say what hospital they work at.

[wanna-be-nurse]

Originally Posted by Gompers

It's not a good idea for any of us to post what hospital we work at. With all the new HIPAA guidelines out there, we don't want to put ourselves at risk, since we do post here about patients and issues at work.

If there is a city in particular that you are interested in, maybe ask about that city and tell people to private message you if they're going to specifically say what hospital they work at.

Thanks I wasn't aware of that. Sorry about that. Okay any message regarding where would be great, even if its just the city (I'm from NYC) or an IM would be appreciated also. Thanks again Gompers.

[SarasotaRN2b]

Originally Posted by ashal58

. I am in the best hospital on the East Coast (U.S.) we are a level 4 and we have 2 helicopters that fly patients from all over. I will be working night shifts after my 16 week orientation and training, I have 2 days of class and 2 days of 12 hour shift. Can't wait to have my first patient on my own. NICU nurses, keep up the good job, you are the best.

Where do you work?

[SarasotaRN2b]

Originally Posted by Gompers

It's not a good idea for any of us to post what hospital we work at. With all the new HIPAA guidelines out there, we don't want to put ourselves at risk, since we do post here about patients and issues at work.

If there is a city in particular that you are interested in, maybe ask about that city and tell people to private message you if they're going to specifically say what hospital they work at.

Actually, I don't agree with this. As long as you are not mentioning any patients by name or identifiers, what harm can it be to mention a hospital?

Kris

[Gompers]

Originally Posted by SarasotaRN2b

Actually, I don't agree with this. As long as you are not mentioning any patients by name or identifiers, what harm can it be to mention a hospital?

Kris

There's nothing wrong with PM-ing where you work if someone really wants to know, though some members might not feel comfortable doing that even in a PM. Overall, it is just much much safer to keep that info private when posting on the boards. HIPAA violations can get you fired.

Your profile says you are still a student - I don't know if you guys had to go through HIPAA training in school. It's very easy to trace back through the posts on this site and figure out who the posters are and what patients they're talking about if they reveal what hospital they work at. And sometimes we need to come here and vent - either about coworkers, patient care, ethics, management, etc. It's great to be able to come here and be anonymous. Once you disclose information about yourself or your workplace, you lose anonymity.

[prmenrs]

Thank you, Gompers.

Please relay more personal info (not patient info, obviously) in pms. Also be careful about doing that! You never know who you're really talking to. Just a cautionary note?

Now, back to your regularly scheduled "Why I love NICU Thread".

[fmrnicumom]

I posted earlier about saying I believe NICU is where I'm meant to be. I wanted to update though about my former 28 weeker. He is just a few days shy of his first birthday and although he has a few minor issues, for the most part you would never know he was premature. He's 22 lbs and a tank now! I can't believe how strong he is.

Thank you to all the NICU nurses out there! As a parent, I can't even begin to express how much what you do means to my family and to me. You were there when my first son was born at 24 weeks and sadly didn't make it. You were there through the anxiety of the subsequent pregnancy and premature labor (starting again at 24 weeks) and delivery of my second son at 28 weeks. It takes a special kind of person to work in NICU. Thank you for being there for my sons, thank you for being there for my family.

[miskid]

I have been reading through all the responses, and I thank you for all the information. I am just returning to school for a major career change to nursing. I've done a lot of research in to different nursing fields, and I truly feel like NICU is my calling. I've had friends (RNs) tell me "Oh, you don't want to do that, it's so hard", but I really don't let it discourage me. I can't wait to get through school now!