by UVaRN2Be

Hi everyone,
I am sooooooooo excited. I just found out my placement when I graduate. The NICU was my first choice. AND I got it!!!!!!!!!!
I have been going through the posts and looking for books to read and learn more about neonates. Thanks for posting them so I do not need to ask...
I don't want to jump the gun but I want to be prepared as much as possible by knowing whatever I can before I actually get there.
So if you have any tips on how best to prepare, I am receptive.

Congratulations to ya.......I am a new grad RN and I started in the NICU just weeks ago and I am still on orientation......I love it ....love it.......love it........I worked in PICU for one month then transferred to the NICU and I am glad I did...I am learning so much from this BB and from the books that were recommended on this site....I purchased the Preemie book and the Merenstein and Gardner Book if you refer to the old posts you will find a BB about the books everyone recommended Oh and you will definitely need a Neo Fax......our unit has them but I prefer to have my own...I have written and underlined things in it already....I wish you well in your choice.....

Good luck you guys! We need ya!

Thank you both so much.....

UVaRN2be, congratulations...it'll be up to you to let those of us still going through the school process know how it goes, especially those like myself that are leaning towards NICU!

Exotic Nurse, I am glad to hear that NICU is going well for you...I'm looking forward to hearing more about your experiences.

Dawngloves, Is the NICU an area that is a shortage area?

Thanks,
Kris

The books recommended earlier in this thread are excellent choices!!!

Here is a good tip and one I continued to use throughout my NICU career:

Every time you are preparing to give a medicine, look it up in your Neofax and review all it says. Then think about the baby your are preparing to give the medication to and consider why this particular baby needs it, what you hope will be the result, and what you need to look for as possible adverse reactions/incompatibilities, etc.

After a while you will be able to nearly memorize the information, but that's not the important part. What's important is how you train your mind to think about your patient as well as how it forces you to remind yourself of the importance giving the correct medicine to the correct patient... more of that critical thinking business that's oh so important. It's also a great way to learn the medications inside and out. Of course there will be busy times and emergencies when there isn't time to read in your neofax but your prior readings and studying will give you the ability and confidence you need in the emergency situations.

I'll cross my fingers as I type this, but I can thankfully and humbly say I've never made a medication error and I've been nursing since 1991 (although I've not worked for the past 2 years). I'ts a true blessing to be able to say that... I'm not being arrogant here, just passing on some good information that was passed on to me. Sort of a "Pay It Forward" kind of thing on a tiny scale. LOL

CONGRATUALTIONS!!! I wish you a wonderful and satisfiying NICU career!!!!! :hatparty: :hatparty:

Thank you Anaclaire.... That is excellent advice. I need all I can get...

Originally posted by 2banurse
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Dawngloves, Is the NICU an area that is a shortage area?

Thanks,
Kris

I think you'd be hard pressed to find an area without a shortage.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement........I carry that neo Fax around with me in my pocket and I will not pass a med without it......Critical thinking is something I want to work on and improve and my orientation with the lil ones and my classes are very helpful......I have enjoyed all the interaction i am receiving here on this BB as well.......once again ....Thanks everyone....