Educational material NICU Nurses

[NatalieM22]

Hello Everyone,

I am very interested in pursuing a career in the NICU field. I am a fairly new graduate RN. I graduated in 2012 with my ASN and passed my boards right away and then recently completed an RN-BSN program this past May (2014). I have worked at a private pediatric office as a medical assistant, lab technician, and RN throughout it all (2006-2014). I chose to complete my BSN leadership hours in a NICU and I absolutely found my calling. I wont stop chasing my dream job of becoming a NICU nurse.

I learned a lot during my leadership but no where near enough. I don't want to be that new nurse, in an ICU, struggling with all the new info that comes during orientation. I am trying to find educational information to gain knowledge in the field while I job hunt.

Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks!

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

Get to know and understand the normal newborn. Then you can spot abnormal.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Give up the dream of trying to be a NICU expert before you step foot inside a NICU. It ain't gonna happen. Two or 3 years in a busy level 3 or 4 NICU mig​ht get you up to that level...might, I say.

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

I'm not seeing where or how the OP insinuated she wanted to become an expert beforehand?

[NatalieM22]

I definitely did not mean to insinuate that I wanted to become an "expert" before I step foot inside a NICU. I am just looking for some educational material so I can read and learn some things about a field I am interested in working in. I know from my leadership experience, the material that newly hired nurses had to learn was a lot and it was overwhelming to me. I am just trying to get a head start. I know that expertise comes with experience. I just wanted to learn somethings before I start going on interviews and working.

[tinkerbell419]

I think there may have been some misunderstanding on the OP's intentions. I think I understand that you want to get a bit of an idea before jumping into the frying pan.

I would recommend looking for a book on nursing neonates which would have chapters that cover the essentials such as developmental and kangaroo care, breastfeeding, skin to skin contact, thermoregulation.

And secondly, if you do get a job in a nicu unit then soak up as much info as possible. It takes time to be the master of everything as it is wide ranging but learn the basics first. Time is everythung because with time comes experience and confidence so take it one step at a time.

[DaniellaHumphreys]

I would personally try working in postpartum first. You will learn how to assess and examine well babies to make sure they are healthy before going home, you will learn A LOT from this if you want to do NICU, lots of skills from post partum is helpful towards NICU. Working in post partum you will also learn how to teach moms how to breastfeed and answer any questions or concerns they may be having regarding their newborn. I've noticed in my experience that the NICU nurses who have only ever worked in NICU are typically uncomfortable and inexperienced with having conversations with parents regarding their newborns care especially if the baby is in NICU. The nurse in NICU is also responsible to teach the parents how to breastfeed their premature baby so these are skills you can learn from post partum. That would be my best advice!