Jax, sounds like a good fit for you.
I sometimes used to complain about "having to go to work". My son looked at me and said, "Why mom, how many people get to go to work and chill with the babies". "You should feel lucky".
Ever since then, when I get tired or get picky about things, or feel like it is a grind, I put a smile on my face and remember what my son said to me. It always makes me chuckle and feel grateful I am a NICU nurse.

I usually work level 3, but sometimes, it can be relaxing to just go care for those little grower feeders and hold them and help parents learn to take care of them.

Re: Poll: What do you love about the NICU?

Hi to all ,
Jarde8 from Australia here , first post! Its 4am and am on nightshift in NICU level 3. Great to see the general love of this type of nursing travels worldwide!! The reason I love this nursing is because of experiences like this example: This is my second night , the first night at work i looked after a 25/40 full vent, drains and lines everywhere quite unstable. This was a desperately wanted child by a first time mother with cancer. That night she kept a bed side vigil. Tonight I am looking after the same bub , stabilised thru the day and by night was able to give the long awaited first cuddle between mum and her gorgeous son!! Obviously still not out of the woods but thats what it all about. No matter what the outcome being part of a time that brings parents closer to their children and you help facilitate that bond is breathtaking!
Ok back to work!! Only 3 hours to go!!!!

Re: Poll: What do you love about the NICU?

Originally Posted by jarde8

No matter what the outcome being part of a time that brings parents closer to their children and you help facilitate that bond is breathtaking!

That's exactly it. Sometimes just being a part of these families' lives can be such an honor. Like that child you're speaking of - no matter what his outcome is, that mother will always remember that you were the first one that handed her baby to her, just as you'll never forget the joy in her face as she held him. It can be emotionally draining sometimes, but those good memories are what makes this job so special. Thinking back on your career, you remember so many families, and knowing that you had such a special role in their lives during that heartbreaking time...breathtaking really is a good word for it.

Taking care of someone's sick child is such an awesome responsibility, isn't it? Just mindblowing.

Re: Poll: What do you love about the NICU?

I am a new grad. and just joined NICU. My orientation is great and I simply love the idea of being able to work in NICU. Just the idea of not working in Med. Surg. is wonderful, I hate Med. Surg. Babies in NICU are fascinating, even though they are so tiny and sick, yet they are perfect. I know I made the right decision to jump into a specialty right away instead of the stereotype quote: "you have to work in Med. Surg. for one year before you can go anywhere.

Re: Poll: What do you love about the NICU?

Originally Posted by ashal58

I am a new grad. and just joined NICU. My orientation is great and I simply love the idea of being able to work in NICU. Just the idea of not working in Med. Surg. is wonderful, I hate Med. Surg. Babies in NICU are fascinating, even though they are so tiny and sick, yet they are perfect. I know I made the right decision to jump into a specialty right away instead of the stereotype quote: "you have to work in Med. Surg. for one year before you can go anywhere.

. I am in the best hospital on the East Coast (U.S.) we are a level 4 and we have 2 helicopters that fly patients from all over. I will be working night shifts after my 16 week orientation and training, I have 2 days of class and 2 days of 12 hour shift. Can't wait to have my first patient on my own. NICU nurses, keep up the good job, you are the best.

Re: Poll: What do you love about the NICU?

I have to say that reading all of your posts have truely touched my heart. I am not in the NICU yet and have not got to have all of the wonderful experiences that all of you have had. I am a nursing student and always knew that I wanted to become a nurse from the time I was really little. I just recently got really interested in working in the NICU and know that that is definately what I want to do. I remember telling my mom what I wanted to do and she just looked at me and said that she could never do that. That she was way too emotional to care for sick babies, that it would be too depressing. I must say that I agree with her, but knowing that I have the ability to help a sick baby, to help them grow from a delicate little creature to going home with their parents makes me so unbelievably happy. I admire each and everyone of you!! Kymberlee

Re: Poll: What do you love about the NICU?

Ive just started on a nicu this week and so far im still trying to find my feet. I work in a level 3 unit so get to work all areas, which means i get an all round experience, from the really sick and tiny 23-24 weekers to the term babies in transitional care on the verge of going home.
Although i haven't had personal experience of this environment, its an area of nursing ive always wanted to work in and once im settled into the job and confident in what im doing, im going to love it. It can be tough....emotional, stressful and busy but i feel extremely privilaged to be caring for these tiny vulnerable babies, who a few years ago wouldn't have made it!
NICU's a great place to work and an exciting and developing, forward thinking area to practice - if you like premmies then go for it.
Good luck

Re: Poll: What do you love about the NICU?

Wow, first of all I'd like to say that each and every one of you are amazingly talented individuals and I admire you all. I am looking into becoming a NICU nurse, finally after weeks of looking into the different fields of nursing I know that this is where I should be. This is my "Calling" although I lost my daughter when I was 5 months pregnant with her, I know that if I had made it to the hospital just a few hours before my baby would of still been alive when I delivered her, 14 ounces, 10 inches long it still would of been a struggle for her to survive. Although I would of put my complete faith into the loving and caring nurses who work so hard in the NICU unit just so that parents get to take their little one's home. I would of known that if she had not survived that everything had been done to keep her little heart beating. Yes NICU is definately where I want to be.

~amber~

Thank you

Thank you for the NICU love stories. I will be graduating the May and hope to pursue an career in the NICU. I've always known that I wanted to work with babies, or children, but initially the NICU was never an option. The thought of those super small, super sick babies just scared me to no end. Until that is I had a chance to spend two days observing in a level 2 nursery. It was incredible to watch nurses work not only with the babies, but with the families. I felt such warmth and love while there, it completely changed my thinking!!! At that point I knew that the NICU was for me. Ever since working the NICU has been my goal. I hope that some day I will make a difference in the life of a family. I hope to be a wonderful NICU nurse like you wonderful ones out there.
Thank You for the inspiration.
TanayNicole

Re: Poll: What do you love about the NICU?

I don't know why NICU nursing has been my calling...but I knew when I started college that the NICU was the place for me. I had a couple of friends growing up who were former preemies. One had been born weighing 1 1/2 pounds, and you would not know it to look at her - honors student, dancer, etc! Perhaps that's why I chose NICU.

I graduated in May 2005 and started immediately in the NICU. I love everything about my job...one night I can go to work and have a sick level 3 baby, and the next I'll find myself with a feeder/grower assignment. Anything can change in any baby at any time, and I love not knowing what will happen. My patients are within 10 feet of each other...and I don't have to go much further to grab the supplies I need for an IV start or lab draw. I remember handing a former 24 weeker to his dad for the first time for a feeding...the dad had never gotten to feed his son before, and I spent the entire feeding with him, showing him how to hold the baby, etc. The first time a baby started to crash on me I was terrified, but my coworkers were there before I even had a chance to say I needed help.

Some days I think, "I don't want to go to work tonight." But when I get there, I wonder why I ever thought that. I love the NICU!