New Grad NICU Support Thread

Specialties NICU

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Calling all New Grad NICU nurses...thanks to a thread started by NurseDevonL, we have decided to start a support group. Hopefully some of our more experienced NICU nurses will look in every so often to lend some support and knowledge as well. Welcome!

niculove:yeah:

I am just finishing up my orientation and have been warned by others that once I am off orientation, I will get a lot of the sicker babies, and LOTS of admissions. I guess their thought is to throw you right into it all, so that you get accustomed to these types of patients and environments. HOWEVER, I find this to be a bit unreasonable, and yes, unsafe. Shouldn't you progress into the types of patients you take care of? Last week (week 8 of my orientation) I had a stable 24 weeker (2 days old) on the oscillator, a chronic 90-day old baby on NC O2 with constant desaturations into the high 60s low 70s, and a pretty healthy newborn r/o sepsis who took PO feeds. Luckily, I was still orienting so I had the help of another nurse if/when I needed it. I felt very comfortable working with each baby, but having all 3 together seems crazy! What happens when the 24 weeker becomes unstable, or the chronic baby doesn't come up on his own after a major desat? I feel like our patient assignments have been so heavy, and makes me a bit nervous if I will be thrown right into these tougher assignments!

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I don't believe that is a safe assignment, even with an experienced nurse helping you. You're also not likely to be learning anything in that situation.

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Misread the pp post. I thought she said baby was on iNO not a nasal cannula. Deleted post.

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Also I think you should get tons of exposure and experience with admissions so long as you have a strong team able and willing to help you along. You'll never feel comfortable with those kinds of kids until you get a few under your belt. You just need a good group of nurses that can support and develop you. Don't hide/ be scared off from taking care of those critical kids... You need that experience. Ask tons of questions and you will usually get tons of help in the beginning.

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hiiii everyone. I'm a fairly new grad. I graduated last year in October '13. I worked in adult ICU for 10 months and starting level III NICU this month. I have absolutely no NICU experience with the exception of 3-4 days of observation during nursing school. I'm so excited and nervous. I've read many encouraging and discouraging posts on this thread.i'm just praying for the best. any advice from current NICU nurses out there?

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I don't believe that is a safe assignment, even with an experienced nurse helping you. You're also not likely to be learning anything in that situation.

Agreed, that is not a safe assignment. I work in an extremely busy level IIIc unit and our oscillator kids are always 1:1.

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Thank you to whoever started this thread!! I am only in my first year of my four year program but it is my dream job to be in the nicu! Eventually as an NNP!! Its great to see some positive posts about new grads in the NICU because I was starting to get very discouraged!! If anyone has any tips for me I would greatly appreciate it!!

Congrats to all of you!

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Specializes in NICU Nurse.

Just thought I'd bump this thread as we are always having new grads starting in the NICU :)

I have read this thread before, and even posted in it a few years ago. I still haven't landed a NICU job but I am still trying my hardest and will never give up!! Have an interview in a few weeks for a level III NICU internship and am stoked! The last time I interviewed for NICU was right out of school and I totally flubbed it as I felt like I am under an insane amount of stress and pressure trying to land my first RN job out of school. Now with 2 years of RN experience and a current job I hope that I can go into this interview a LITTLE more relaxed as I don't feel the stress of needing a job ASAP for $$. Wish me luck!! Even if I don't get it this time, I will keep trying!!

Any experienced NICU nurses want to chime in on this thread? Or I would love to hear stories of your 1st year in NICU. I love reading about the ups and downs of a NICU nurse :)

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Specializes in NICU.

I just started in a level IV NICU back in May, and this evening is my first shift on my own after my residency. I would love to hear any advice from seasoned NICU nurses. Everyone keeps telling me that I'm supposed to be nervous, that I am a beginner and am expected to ask tons of questions - and I plan on pestering the other nurses with constant questions! Good luck to all of you out there who are hoping to get into a NICU position... it's an amazing place!

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Specializes in NICU Nurse.

I just got off the phone with the NICU manager who I interviewed with yesterday - she offered me the internship!!!! :D Out of 150 applicants she said I was the top pick and that they were only hiring 2 interns!! I am beyond belief right now and so excited!!

Those who have been around this board for a long time, you may have seen me post here for the past few years with my hopes and dreams of landing a NICU position. That's the whole reason I went into nursing in the first place. I graduated in 2013 and have been working pedatric home health just waiting to be accepted into a NICU internship...it has been a crazy 3 years of waiting!! I can't believe I have finally been accepted!! I was born at 24 weeks and I truly feel that the whole reason God gave me a chance is so I could help other preemies and ill babies and their families!! Ahhhhh I'm on cloud 9 right now. I start in October!!

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Specializes in Psychiatric RN & Retired Psychiatric CNA.
I just got off the phone with the NICU manager who I interviewed with yesterday - she offered me the internship!!!! :D Out of 150 applicants she said I was the top pick and that they were only hiring 2 interns!! I am beyond belief right now and so excited!!

Those who have been around this board for a long time, you may have seen me post here for the past few years with my hopes and dreams of landing a NICU position. That's the whole reason I went into nursing in the first place. I graduated in 2013 and have been working pedatric home health just waiting to be accepted into a NICU internship...it has been a crazy 3 years of waiting!! I can't believe I have finally been accepted!! I was born at 24 weeks and I truly feel that the whole reason God gave me a chance is so I could help other preemies and ill babies and their families!! Ahhhhh I'm on cloud 9 right now. I start in October!!

Congrats! Any updates? I start fundamentals this month and graduate in December of 2018. If I have to apply to over 300 positions in a NICU, I will. They're also the reason I went into nursing.

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Specializes in NICU.

I just graduated from the BScN in December and am starting a position in my level III NICU (highest level in Canada) in March. I have been in adult surgical oncology for the past 3 years. I have to re-learn everything I know! I'm also having some anxiety about the amount of responsibiltiy required...thinking about how parents are trusting me with their babies and I really need to know what I'm doing - except I don't! Its different than an 80 year old. 0.1ml of a med can be the difference between life and death! I'm excited but also anxious as I am definately out of my element!

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