Coffee Nurse

Coffee Nurse BSN, RN

NICU

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About Coffee Nurse

Coffee Nurse has 15 years experience as a BSN, RN and specializes in NICU.


Latest Activity

  1. Hours of studying to get RNC-NIC or CCRN (neonatal)

    It's going to vary so much from nurse to nurse. I went through the whole AWHONN NOEP program before I tested, just to dot my Is and cross my Ts, but I've been working in level 3-4 units for 10+ years and honestly could have just winged the exam and ...
  2. Do Any Hospitals Hire New Grads For Nicu?

    I’m so glad to hear this! I think you’ve made a great decision and will be a better nurse, a better NNP if you choose to go down that route, and- most importantly - a happier person! I started as a new grad in a level IV. If they have a solid re...
  3. Do Any Hospitals Hire New Grads For Nicu?

    Also, it just helps to know the ins and outs of an actual working NICU. I worked with an NNP who had gone back to school after some time in a level II nursery and then got hired into my level III. She was infuriating to work with because she microm...
  4. Do Any Hospitals Hire New Grads For Nicu?

    I just came across the thread you posted two days before this one: SERIOUSLY. Do yourself an enormous favor: withdraw from/defer this program, spend 1-2 years working in a NICU and learn firsthand what NNPs actually do before you try to becom...
  5. Do Any Hospitals Hire New Grads For Nicu?

    ALL OF THIS. I am super skeeved at the idea of a direct-entry NNP program. At best, a BSN gets maybe a senior capstone in the NICU, and that's just learning on the fly, without a didactic course to ground the hands-on part. Figuring out how to be ...
  6. Should I Stay or Should I Go

    DM is fine.
  7. Should I Stay or Should I Go

    Sure, if you like.
  8. Should I Stay or Should I Go

    No, I left about a decade ago. The unit is amazing but I was done living in LA.
  9. Should I Stay or Should I Go

    I will add, a lot of NICU nurses get pretty protective of their patients - we're their main advocates really, since they can't speak up for themselves and their parents generally know a lot less about them than we do - which may be coming off as hars...
  10. Level III vs. Level IV for a new grad nurse

    Having started as a new grad in a level III/IV that did have some level II kids as well, I'd go for the second option. If the level IV has a residency program then they must have figured out a way to make that work, but I personally can't imagine no...
  11. New Grad Dilemma

    You're at the start of your career. You have plenty of time to find "optimal happiness." Appreciate the opportunity you've been given, wring as much knowledge and experience as you can out of it, and either a) you will find you actually love med su...
  12. I'm trying to think of a plausible backronym to boost credibility, but all I can come up with is W-U-Z-Zero Incidental Extubations.
  13. I've definitely used the Wuzzie technique before too. Alternatively, just make sure your tape is nice and secure, and that the vent circuit won't get caught on anything and start pulling. If you have a feisty kid, make sure they can't get their han...
  14. No. Some people pick up loads of overtime. Some don't do any. Some are anywhere in between those two extremes. Do what you want to do.
  15. Sounds like you need to assert yourself and your needs a little more. "Sorry, I can't" is plenty of reason not to work extra. Their getting irritated with you just reflects poorly on their own staffing plans, which apparently don't work unless peop...