attn: experienced NICU RNs---

[prmenrs]

Like Bortaz, NICUGal, babyRN, etc.

We are in need of a current "Day in the Life" thread. The stickies are so old, they don't work because they rewrote the code (or something techy like that).

If any of you feel so inclined, I would really appreciate your help!

[sophie<3]

does anyone have any night shift "typical" shifts to share? I am orienting on dayshift but will eventually go to nightshift..looking at what the differences are.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

The post I made was from a night shift perspective, as I've only ever worked nights.

At my place, a couple of the things that are delegated to nights are 1. Bathing 2. Changing of fluids/TPN and 3. Weighing.

Of course, the day shift does nothing.

[prmenrs, RN]

The routines are usually similar for both shifts because babies get fed/vitaled/medicated, etc., around the clock. On a med-surg floor, if the docs order a med 3x/day, the pt gets it @ set times-all daylight hours, e.g., 9am, 1pm, 5pm. The objective is to allow for sleep @ night. Babies wake up for feedings ~q3hrs. Infants ordered a med 3x/d would actually get the med q8hrs, starting as soon as possible after the order is written. Each baby will get his/her meds on their own schedule.

Days gets to deal w/docs, pts going to other departments for proceedures or surgery, and many, many more visitors. Most units allow visitation from parents 24/7, but most parents come in during day shift, w/some in the evenings. Also "suits" aka management generally show up during day shift.

Mr. B.--I'm sure day shift would be more than happy to send the suits to nights!

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Uh...no thanks! Why do you think I'm on nights?

[walkingrock, ADN]

Bortaz, Wow, I so agree. I really appreciate that you took the time to write all of that out and share it. And, I might add, and then there is the ever-increasing and time-consuming documentation of all of the above work. I started in NICU right out of school, and it is definitely the right place for me. It does irk me though, when visitors, say "what a fun job!" as they see me feeding a baby, I just smile, and keep my thoughts to myself!

[RNRouge, BSN, RN]

Oh how I miss working so much! As a NICU nurse, you have to be accurate and fast, be very detailed, and have a keen eye for observation as each and every little man and woman has her own personality :)