New grad NICU nurse

Specialties NICU

Published

Hi guys!

So I was offered (and accepted) a job in a 118 bed Level IV NICU as a new grad in a large teaching hospital. Hello, dream job! I graduate in May and will start sometime in late June or early July.

Basically, I'm freaking out with excitement haha. But with that in mind, I would love and appreciate any an all advice you can provide specifically to the NICU!

I will also be working nights, so if you can help me out with some tips there too, I would be so thankful.

I'm so happy and can't wait to officially call myself a NICU nurse!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing.

Welcome to the world of Neonatal Nurses! In your journey, you will encounter plenty of ups and downs BUT never let that deter you- it will only make you stronger and a better neonatal nurse. Once you have settled in, further your knowledge by pursuing a postgraduate certification in neonatal nursing. All the best and enjoy the journey!

Linda

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Welcome to the world of Neonatal Nurses! In your journey, you will encounter plenty of ups and downs BUT never let that deter you- it will only make you stronger and a better neonatal nurse. Once you have settled in, further your knowledge by pursuing a postgraduate certification in neonatal nursing. All the best and enjoy the journey!

Linda

Thanks for your response, Linda. I've looked into other certifications and plan to become STABLE certified, but am curious on your (or anyone's) opinion regarding CCRN or RNC. Which is better or more appropriate? Or are both acceptable?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What hospital did you get hired as a new grad at? If you do not mind me asking, i just saw you were from Texas I live there too and was interested in Neonatal as well (I'm a pre nursing student) and i have heard it can be a very competitive specialty. Thank you :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey! I just saw this post and want to follow to get advice as well!! I plan on buying the Merenstein & Gardber neonatal intensive care handbook to start reading up on different diagnoses And interventions so I won't be completely lost when we start lol. But I'm open to any advice and suggestions as well!! I can't wait to move to tx and start working!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What hospital did you get hired as a new grad at? If you do not mind me asking, i just saw you were from Texas I live there too and was interested in Neonatal as well (I'm a pre nursing student) and i have heard it can be a very competitive specialty. Thank you :)

It's an extremely competitive speciality! I'm certain ms.simone can agree since we just both got hired together at Children's Memorial Hermann in Houston. There's a lot of great hospitals for NICU in Texas! Start doing your research now!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My only advice would be never say "I know" when you don't - you have to be open to learning. Never put your ego ahead of the baby in asking questions. Research on your own - I'm sure they'll give you some sort of didactic classes but I would get a good book (like M&G) and start reading.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The best thing I can tell you is that you are going to feel like an idiot for about a year. So. when you hit the 6 month mark and start beating yourself up because you feel like you should already know these things, remember that. You are going to feel like an idiot for about a year. Part of the reason for his is simply the amount of information you will have to process over the next year. In nursing school you get a lot of exposure to adults and kinda have an idea of what normal vs. abnormal is. So when an adult starts going downhill you can usually say, "I don't know what's wrong with him, but something's not right!" When you come into the NICU as a new grad most people don't even have that baseline. So now you have to learn normal usually by looking at an abnormal baby. It's a very backward way to learn things and at first a lot of things are going to go straight over your head. It's ok. Take a deep breath, stay calm and ask A LOT of questions. NICU is a very specialized place and it's not for everyone, but those of us who stay have done so because we love it and we couldn't see ourselves doing anything else. Welcome to the NICU. I hope you have a great experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations on the NICU job! I've precepted lots of new grads and my advice is to READ the protocols! Ask questions and get a good quick reference guide so you can look things up in a hurry. I recommend getting a small pocket sized address book and jotting things down as you go along. Things like: what color micro tube for amino glycoside levels (something that took me 5 yrs to remember!) SpO2 alarm limits, etc. Start reading articles in journals or online, Medscape is a good site and they offer CEUs. And start learning some small degree of distance as at times the ethical side of NICU can be overwhelming. My mantra: not my choice, not my baby, not my child, not my life. Parents in the NICU are your greatest resource, make sure you use them. Best of luck, I've been a NICU nurse for almost 15 yrs now, can't imagine going back to adults.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I graduate in May this year and would love to land a NICU position but I know how competitive it is. Do you have any tips about what could help get a NICU position right out of school? I currently work as a Nurse extern.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment