Intimidated new NICU nurse

Specialties NICU

Published

Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.

Hello everybody,

I am a RN with 3 years of nursing experience. Half of it in surgical telemetry, and the last half of it in mother/baby.

I have been thinking about going into NICU for about 2 years, and I finally got it.

I will be working at a level IV Nicu in a childrens hospital; it is a teaching hospital too.

My issue is that I can't help and feel intimidated at times. I haven't started training on the unit yet; still classroom learning. It started last week. I shadowed a NICU nurse for a shift though. I also picked up shifts in a level II while I was a mother/baby nurse. Thinking about the lines, vents, premature babies, codes, etc... It just sounds so intimidating. I bought me a book, and I am very excited and eager to learn this specialty. I am just afraid of not being able to handle it and making mistakes, etc.

Please someone tell me that the training erases or minimizes such feelings, and that is normal to feel this way at the beginning. My NICU nurse friend who also work in this hospital told me that we do get the sufficient training and there is nothing to worry about. There is just so much to learn, and I am afraid of not being able to learn it all during training. I diagnosed myself with that I am afraid of the unknown as I know pretty much nothing at this time.

I think my training is 12 weeks. Does that sound sufficient and are my feelings reasonable?

Thank you.

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Specializes in NICU.

I was a new grad with no experience when I first started, at least you have some experience. I felt intimidated as well!! It was all so very overwhelming all of the different diagnosis and everyyyything all that once. Don't worry, it eventually goes away once you get the hang of it and just remember you're never alone. When in doubt, just ask! You will be comfortable one day. Be patient with yourself.

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If you didn't feel intimidated going into such a specialized high acuity unit, THEN I'd be worried. Just like any area of nursing confidence comes with time and experience. One piece of advice to make it seem a little less scary is to remember you are never alone, especially in a teaching hospital. Ask your colleagues when unsure or even if you just need someone to take a look/confirm your assessment findings.

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Specializes in ICU.

May the force be with you.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.

Thank you all. I had my first shift in the unit the other day. My preceptor was satisfied with me; she liked that I was very eager to learn it all. I just don't want to miss anything. I am doing feeder/growers, NAS babies, etc not the most critical ones yet. My orientation is organized in such a way that I will work my way up gradually to the most critical ones. My fear is mostly about those critically ill patients or ventilator patients. I am just afraid of not being able to know or solve problems at the end of my training. I am asking lots of questions and trying to absorb everything I see and am told. I like it so far. I still have classes to take about ventilators, diseases, etc. I hope I will feel more confident as the training goes.

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yes if you need more time just ask

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Can I ask where, or just the state, that you were able to start in the NICU as a new grad? I'm having an incredibly difficult time in IL trying to find a NICU job that doesn't require 1-3 years of experience first. I graduate in December and this department was the reason I went into nursing in the first place, it's my passion! :)

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I'm an adult ICU nurse, but can tell you that you WILL feel less intimidated!! It takes a while. Even after you're off orientation, you won't feel like a completely independent ICU nurse...you really won't be, nor will you be expected to be. You will be expected to know when you're in over your head and when to ask for help.

But I promise, once you've had some hands-on experience with the gadgets, and have had some time to think aloud through scenarios w/ your preceptor (e.g., what is abnormal with this picture? What *could be* going on?) and ask questions, it will start to make sense.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.
Can I ask where, or just the state, that you were able to start in the NICU as a new grad? I'm having an incredibly difficult time in IL trying to find a NICU job that doesn't require 1-3 years of experience first. I graduate in December and this department was the reason I went into nursing in the first place, it's my passion! :)

I am not a new grad. I have almost 3.5 years of experience. But we do have many new grads starting in the NICU. This is in KY. It is still very competitive and hard to get into. You may have to start out at a different place than your passion. So, don't set yourself up with assurance to get a NICU job right away. That can set you up for a huge disappointment.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.

I appreciate all the comments and advice. Thank you all! I feel better now :)

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Specializes in NICU.

I got my job through a hook up. That's why networking is so important. They took me and plenty other new grads. In NYC

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