Caring For NICU Parents - Page 2

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  1. Aug 18, '12 by
    Quote from babyRN.
    Klone, most NICUs just want you to check in with a phone call once a day and visit a couple times a week, but even then we have many parents who don't do that, but are appropriate with their kids.
    But is that a conversation every NICU *has* with all parents? "Hey, please feel free to check in with the RN by phone, even in the middle of the night, to see how your kiddo is doing. It's okay." I know they never had that conversation with us.

    Also, I felt like lactation COMPLETELY failed us. I'm an IBCLC, but I was first and foremost a MOM. The first thing I did when we got there was request a lactation consult. Nobody came for three days. When someone finally came to talk to me, she introduced herself by saying "I'm not an IBCLC, so you probably know more than I do!" Gosh, thanks.
    Bortaz, RN likes this.
  2. Aug 18, '12 by
    I give all NICU nurses a lot of credit... I could never do it, especially being a mom. Give me a dying adult any day, hand me a sick baby and I'd break down. Kudos!
    Bortaz, RN likes this.
  3. Aug 18, '12 by
    Klone, that's probably NICU culture dependent. My facility is very family-centered care and parents can stay at the bedside 24/7. Others are much more restrictive, which does the families AND the baby no favors.
  4. Aug 18, '12 by
    What a super topic. As an adult nurse due to start in NICU, literally the only thing I feel confident in is being able to care for the adults in the unit. I hope when I'm overwhelmed with all the learning and adapting that I don't lose sight of the care and attention the family needs.
    Bortaz, RN likes this.
  5. Aug 18, '12 by
    I am not only a NICU nurse (16 years and counting ) I am also the mom of a former 29 weeker... She stayed for six weeks...and I agree about taking stress off the parents. It was my experience as a nicu parent that led me into nicu nursing as a career choice.. I was not a nurse 19 yrs ago when she was born ... I had a BA in another field...so I was a terrified momma... My nurses encouraged touching her and holding her as much as she could tolerate. I was very involved from day 1 and that meant the world to me in a world I had no control in. I've tried to take my experience as an NI parent and incorporate that into how i care for my tiny patients AND their families. I, too, have heard so many coworkers thwart parents attempts to be more involved with their infants. I've even heard some of the older seasoned nurses say they just wished parents would stay away until it was time for dc... I get very nonplussed when I hear this...my facility is building a brand new women's care and surgery center so in 2015 I will be in a brand new NICU with all private rooms and a bed that enables a parent the opportunity to stay with their baby. I'm very excited about our more family centered approach but saddened when I hear several nurses say they'll retire or go elsewhere before they deal with parents rooming in. I'm not sure but I thought we all worked for the same thing... Optimal care for the baby ...and to me that includes allowing parents to take part in caring for their baby... Ok my vent is over but thank you for posting this
    Bortaz, RN likes this.