by Korleone

i'm planning on joining the NICU internship, As a male isn't awkward for a male to enter a nursery? lol. the reason that it's my only option right now for internship bec. it's open. Since you have to take care of the newborn, feed,put them to sleep...don't you think they want female rather than male, will they hire me? hmm lol. don't you think they will throw me to a ward where lifting is more common?

Re: nursery

How will you know if you dont apply...?

If they put you on a ward where you're just there to do the lifting (ie you're a male) then isnt that sexual discrimination...?

Cant see that there would be a problem with men giving care to babies...after all thousands and thousands of men do it - it's just that almost all of them do it at home with their own kids...

Just because a person is a female, doesn't mean they are any good with babies by default. It's a learned behaviour and there are some terrible mums out there...!

Apply for it and good luck to you.

Re: nursery

I don't think it should be all that awkward - each of those little babies has a mother plus a FATHER, you know!

I'd hope that you have a good reason for wanting to working the NICU other than "it's open". You will probably be asked about your motivation during the interviewing process.

Little critters are amazing! I always felt uncomfortable handling them until I had kids of my own. After that, it was a lot less stressful.

Re: nursery

thanks guyz, yes probably it's because i'm not a father yet and haven't really experience holding babies, maybe i'm just a little concern because they are just to fragile. you know. but i love them when they start walking and start talking to you. hehe

Re: nursery

Hey korleone...

I've been in the NICU for over 3 and 1/2 years, and I absolutely love what I do here. There is soooo much more to do than just feed the babies and put them to sleep.

First of all, if you are in the NICU, you are not dealing with normal newborns. The majority of the babies here are premature ones. The smallest baby we have in our NICU now is 23 weeks. You will learn how to start IVs, place foley catheters, manage different types of vents, suction via the ETT, place NGT/OGT, and your assessment skills will be awesome. You will learn by looking at the ABGs/CBGs, monitor, vents, and the infant how he/she is doing. You will attend c-sections, stat/emergency deliveries, and you will see some disease processes and genetic anomalies that will blow your mind. You will learn how to deal with the family members, Neos, NNPs, and other nursing staff. You will learn how to manage chest tubes, hold an infant for a lumbar puncture, assist with central line placements (UVC/UACs), learn how to interpret x-rays...You will learn how to respond when a premature infant codes...you will learn how to draw up emergency meds, push blood and blood products, and you will come face to face with your own personal convicitions of how to deal with death. You will smile when the infant you have been taking care of for the past 3-4 months goes home. You will comfort parents during their darkest hours.

I could go on and on, but I just wanted you to know that in the NICU, we do much more here than just feed and put infant's to sleep. You are going to be joining one of the more specialized units in any hospital. It truly takes a special person to thrive in this environment. Plus, the Neos in our unit tend to bond with the male RNs here more tightly than our female counterparts. I wish you well on your internship and let us know how it goes for you. Good luck!

Re: nursery

wow was inspiring! thanks for telling me all this, now i have a good insight about NICU, i have another option to go to Telemetry, and MICU anyone has a good info about it?.

please give differences about MICU and NICU also.

Thanks for all replies..

Re: nursery

Originally Posted by Korleone

wow was inspiring! thanks for telling me all this, now i have a good insight about NICU, i have another option to go to Telemetry, and MICU anyone has a good info about it?.

please give differences about MICU and NICU also.

Thanks for all replies..

MICU is a medical ICU. You may also see "SICU", which is a surgical ICU. Unless you're in a children's hospital, most of your patients in either will be adults.