[Kimbalou]

Our NICU has had a LOW census for about 2 months now. Is your NICU slow or busy right now? As soon as we get a few new babies, a few go home. I'm surprised at how long this has lasted. How long has your NICU been with a low census? (if it has happened)
Do the summer months tend to be slow?

[Amiejayrn]

our NICU can hold 12 and has been 10 to 12 the past 2 months. Usually it is around 3 or 4 patients. So in our small little NICU, we are busy.

[Kimbalou]

Originally Posted by Amiejayrn

our NICU can hold 12 and has been 10 to 12 the past 2 months. Usually it is around 3 or 4 patients. So in our small little NICU, we are busy.

Wow, I thought my unit was small when we can have up to 23 babies...we have 10-12 lately. I'm used to 38 where I used to work.

Do you ever get cancelled due to low census? Luckily, we can't be cancelled...it's in our union contract...Thank God!

[Amiejayrn]

yeah, we are small. That is why I am starting at a bigger hospital which has a 48 bed NICU and will be expanding to a 72 early next year. I just am not getting enough exposure to learn where I am at. Yes, we do get cancelled but of course, it is the per diem, then the part timers who go before the full timers. We do have the option to floating to Nursery.

[fergus51]

We've been in the 70s lately. Waaaaayyyy too busy if you ask me.

[Kimbalou]

Originally Posted by Amiejayrn

yeah, we are small. That is why I am starting at a bigger hospital which has a 48 bed NICU and will be expanding to a 72 early next year. I just am not getting enough exposure to learn where I am at. Yes, we do get cancelled but of course, it is the per diem, then the part timers who go before the full timers. We do have the option to floating to Nursery.

i'm per diem, and i'm so glad they can't cancel any staff!!

[Kimbalou]

Originally Posted by fergus51

We've been in the 70s lately. Waaaaayyyy too busy if you ask me.

Could you send some babies my way? Where do you live?

[fergus51]

Originally Posted by Kimbalou

Could you send some babies my way? Where do you live?

I was going to ask if you could send some nurses our way...

[Kimbalou]

Originally Posted by fergus51

I was going to ask if you could send some nurses our way...

Well, luckily I'm not getting cancelled, like i mentioned. But I still feel uncomfortable when we're slow. We have a great float policy, too...so I should count my blessings i guess.

[Kimbalou]

Originally Posted by fergus51

We've been in the 70s lately. Waaaaayyyy too busy if you ask me.

Do you ever have an assignment with more than 3 babies...i'm serious...so don't laugh