NICU vs. ICU

Specialties NICU

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Hi all,

I know that NICU is a specialty all its own, but I was curious of the similarities between the two. If I got a book on Critical Care would it be a good source if I want to work in a NICU? Are there special NICU Critical care books out there?

Any other similarities or contrasts? One of the things I have noticed is that usually there is a neonatologist that is there 24/7.

Is there anyone here that has worked both and can comment?

TIA,

Kris

NICU and adult ICU will likely have more differences than similarities.

They both have their own set of unique skills.

Differences:

*The biggest one will most likely be the size of the patients. The NICU has patients as small as a pound and the largest patient won't be much more than 10 lbs. When you are dealing with patients this small the room for error is much smaller.

*Medication dosages in neonatal patients is based on weight.

*You tend to see the same diagnosis in the neonatal population unless you work in a large tertiary type NICU that will have a much wider variety of diagnosis.

*Not every baby in the NICU is truly critical. Some babies are sick as snot and will be in the NICU for months, but some babies are not very sick and may only stay a couple of days.

*Neonatal patients stay in the NICU until discharge so even when they are out of their acute phase they stay in the NICU. Some large NICU's will have a stepdown for these babies, but most don't.

*You will deal with the families differently than you would in an adult ICU environment. We really encourage family centered care and they require lots of teaching and encouragment.

*Vital signs ranges and what is considered normal will be much different. What is considered normal also ranges depending on what is going on with the baby. A baby with BPD that has sats in the 80's is just fine, but a full term newly born baby with sats in the 80's isn't so great.

Similarities:

*The basics of critical care apply in the NICU as well. Many of the procedures will be the same (ETT suctioning, starting IV's, arterial sticks, hanging fluids, vasopressors, etc....)

Can't think of anymore similarities at the moment.

I'm sure someone else will chime in.

Their are lots of neonatal specific ICU books. There is a sticky at the top with many of those books listed. Also if you go to Amazon and look up Neonatal books you will find a ton to choose from.

Hope that helps :)

It sure does, thanks a lot, Humbled Nurse!

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