by sjc80

So, I've just start in NICU (I graduated a month ago). I was there for 8 weeks as a student and I have just finished my orientation and am now flying "solo".

I'm finding my self feeling extremely insecure about my practice. I think I'm doing things write and doing what I should be doing but I don't know. I find the staff and the managers only give feedback when there is something negative. Like, a co-worker would never say "Hey, that's not how we do it, let me help you", they would just tell the manager then during a "chat" the manager tells me about something I've done or didn't do. And during these little "chats" the manager never says "Hey, people have said *insert positive comment here*"

Is this the normal way to deal with a new staff member? If not, how can I approach other staff or the manager about giving me more feedback?

Help! I love NICU but I am very anxious that I am not fitting in or doing things write!

Re: New NICU nurse

First of all, welcome to the NICU!

It can be a hard environment to break into, there is so much to know. Eight weeks can't give you much more than an overview of the unit. I try to be especially positive with new nurses because it's easy to feel like you don't know anything when you first start out. Besides, you can't learn in a negative, stressful environment.

Something to think about is that managers may view talking to you about things you aren't doing right as educating you on the ways of the unit. Personally, I prefer bringing things up as they occur; if someone is about to breach a sterile field, for example, it's easier to say, "Whoops, you might not have noticed this..." or "Let me show you a neat trick for that..." than to tattle....

Give it some time. One day you will be one of the experienced nurses and be kindly proactive. Offer to precept new nurses once you have some experience under your belt--I bet you'd make a good mentor.

Another idea is to talk to your unit educator/manager and tell them your concerns about feeling like you aren't doing things right. I bet they can come up with a lot of examples of things you do well. They might not realize you feel this way.

Good luck! The NICU can be a wonderful place to work--we definitely have the cutest patients .

Re: New NICU nurse

That's awesome you were able to get into NICU right out of school. That is a unit I would love to break into once I get my license also.

The orientation period seems really short but I'm sure you'll feel nervous no matter how long you had. It's going to take time before you feel comfortable and I'm sure some days you'll go back to feeling brand new again.

Sounds like the criticism is a little poor but they aren't being mean about it. I would maybe ask more questions? Don't worry too much about it. You'll do fine and feel right at home in no time.

Re: New NICU nurse

I feel the same exact way. It's not always like that, but a lot of the time it was. It's getting much less frequent for me as I'm approaching my first year anniversary of working in a NICU but it really makes you feel like ****. I've cried a few times, I'll be honest.

I will never EVER forget what it was like to be a first year nurse. And I will do my utmost to always treat new grads with compassion.

(((hugs)))

We'll get through it. Just gotta take one day at a time. If you look over at the first year in nursing forum, you'll see that this is so common, it's practically normal. And it's hard for anyone else to understand who hasn't gone through it.

Re: New NICU nurse

NICU is where I also want to work when I graduate. I still have a while before that happens though (a year and a half)! I do however know the feeling...or at least a similar one. it's very uncomfortable. I have heard that the nurses who dont make it through the first year are the ones who don't have good mentors/a long enough orientation to go from "student nurse" to "registered nurse". maybe you can try asking your manager if you can have an extended orientation? explain that you are unsure of some things and just would be more comfortable if they could extend it for you? or maybe pair you up with another nicu nurse for another few weeks to get your feet a little more wet? if you got into nicu, im sure your a great nurse so try to relax and take a load off! nbch:


Good luck!
Congrats on making it through nursing school/nclex and getting a job you love!

Re: New NICU nurse

Let the nurses you are working with know you're a newbie (I had to do that A LOT when I was right off orientation...very large unit and heck, I could have easily been mistaken as a traveler that knows what's up!) and ask them to tell you if you do something wrong.

Re: New NICU nurse

First of all, congrats on becoming a new NICU nurse! Welcome to the club

Secondly, your orientation sounds super short. In our NICU, they recently expanded the orientation process to 6 months! 3 months orientation in level II and 3 months in level III. It had been 12 weeks before it was changed.

I can imagine how overwhelmed you may feel. I see that in the new nurses that were recently hired here as well. But fear not! With experience, comes confidence; it just takes time. I'm sorry that your co-workers aren't more "new nurse friendly." That was not the case here in my NICU when I started. I oriented on days before switching to nights, and everyone was very helpful, from my unit manager to the Neos and NNPs. If you still feel a little insecure, ask your unit manager if you can have a little more orientation. I know our unit manager asks the new nurses at the end of their orientation how confident they feel, and if they still feel a little unsure about themselves, she will allow them to orient to the unit a little longer. Last thing anyone wants is a new nurse who says he/she is ready to be on their own, when in reality they are still scared and unsure of themselves. But don't give up! Have faith in yourself, and don't be afraid to ask questions! Don't just know how to do something, but know why you are doing it. Question everything. Don't take anything for granted. Just keep your head up and don't get down on yourself. You will do great! Good luck!