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  1. This is a discussion on New to level III in NICU Nursing / Neonatal, part of Critical Care Nursing ... I have worked in level II NICU for 4 years and just recently got hired at the biggest children's...

    by Aug 17, '12
    I have worked in level II NICU for 4 years and just recently got hired at the biggest children's hospital in TX. I am so stressed in level III already and not ready to have a baby die on my shift, or look at the parents of a dying baby. I also have Crohn's Disease and was out of work after being there for 10 weeks because I flared up so badly. Will the stress ever get better?
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    by Anursify Aug 17, '12 4:09 pm
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  3. 3 Comments so far...

  4. Aug 18, '12 by
    Quote from Anursify
    I have worked in level II NICU for 4 years and just recently got hired at the biggest children's hospital in TX. I am so stressed in level III already and not ready to have a baby die on my shift, or look at the parents of a dying baby. I also have Crohn's Disease and was out of work after being there for 10 weeks because I flared up so badly. Will the stress ever get better?
    If you are that stressed already then maybe you should go back to level 2. Not everyone is cut out for the higher acuity, ESP if your health is suffering. As for a baby dying, you have to accept that it happens and you have to be able to be there for the parents and baby. I think you need to do some soul searching and thinking about if this the right fit for you. If you stay this stressed you will burn out quickly. And for your health, if you have to keep calling in or taking time off you are going to jeopardize your job. Have you spoke to your CNS or man agent about this?
    prmenrs and karnicurnc like this.
  5. Aug 18, '12 by
    That should me management , silly auto correct lol
    karnicurnc likes this.
  6. Aug 19, '12 by
    It's going to be stressful, especially since this a lot of this is new to you. Honestly, I don't see how someone can expect you to just stroll on in and NOT be stressed. You just need to take it day by day. Maybe you should look at level III NICU's that aren't in the biggest childrens hospital in Texas. Not trying to sound sarcastic at all, but not all level 3 NICU's are created equally. Some can have a way higher acuity then others.

    Maybe you can talk to your charge nurse, and discuss the kinds of assignments you have been getting.

    As for a baby dieing- no body likes this part of our job. It happens though. You should see if your hospital offers some kind of course or training. Some nurses in my unit have done Resolve Through Sharing.