Being a NICU Nurse is a mistake!

[future_neonatal_NP]

All of my life I have wanted to work in the NICU... now that I am in college I have a little problem: I have already chosen pre-nursing as my major, and almost ALL of my family members (except my mom) have made it their job to tell me what a HUGE mistake I am making. They all say I'm stupid for being "just a neonatal nurse practitioner" when I have the chance to become a neonatologist. I have explained to them time and time again that I have explored all of my options and have made my final decision. I know that I am the only one who can make this decision, and it really shouldn't matter what others think, but even my DAD is against my choice and with me being a "daddy's girl", i care deeply about what he thinks. I AM NOT changing my major, but can anyone give me some advice on how to make my family see the benefits of nursing and that being a nurse is NOT a bad thing? or am i just making a big deal over nothing?

[prmenrs, RN]

Actually, a Nurse Practitioner working in the ER COULD have sewn up that check. Some of the skills done by NNPs include inserting umbilical catheters, LPs, PICC lines (special IVs that are inserted deeper into the body to deliver IV therapy for a longer time than the average IV). They write orders, History and Physicals, progress notes, d/c summaries and manage patients throughout their stay. They are often on transport teams--and in charge of the team.

Pass that onto your dad!

[KrisRNwannabe]

Don't listen to the negative. If you want to be a NNP, go for it!!!! when they introduce you as there "pre-med daughter" correct them and say "actually I am going to be a nurse!!" be proud of what you want to do. and make sure they are aware of it. my aunt and uncle really wanted my cousin athena to be a doctor. she wanted to be a nurse. they kept bugging her about med school. so athena added up 4 years of undergrad at a well known university (she told them, well i would have to go to a good school cuz med school is competetive) then priced out med school and living expenses for the whole time. I don't remember the number but it had many 0's in it. she told if you want me to go to med school. here is the price, write me a check!! let's just say med school wasn't mentioned again!!! go for you dreams because after all they are YOUR dreams.

Kris

[future_neonatal_NP]

thanks y'all! i'll keep these things in mind :)

[enfermeraSG]

This probably isn't the first, and won't be the last time you hear this......You are the one who has to live out your life! If they really care about you, they will want you to be happy and will finally see that you have made the right decision. The biggest difference I would point out between "nurse" (including NNP's) vs "doctor", is that any type of nursing position is more hands on. So if you enjoy patient care and teaching, bonding and interacting with pts, families etc - then a nurse fits better. Practitioner's are the perfect blend in my opinion. Good luck! SG

[sparkyRN]

Be strong. Stand your ground. Be proud of who you are, where you are. The rest of the family will come around eventually. Just keep your head up and smile because you are doing what fulfills you!

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

Another quote you can take to your dad,

The NICU has been noted as being the "one room in the hospital that even the surgeons are afraid of." (Edward Humes, Baby ER: The Heroic Doctors and Nurses Who Perform Medicine's Tiniest Miracles). I have seen this with surgeons as well, they get very antsy in the NICU.

Prmenrs is correct, NNPs perform many procedures commonly performed by physicians. They insert central arterial and venous lines via the umbilical cord as well as peripherally-inserted central lines (PICCs), then suture those lines in place. These procedures are often performed on babies that weigh a pound or less. Suturing a facial laceration hardly seems to be much of a "big deal" compared to that.