(Not so) Daily Affirmations

Specialties NICU

Published

In the crappy world of nursing, it's very easy to let people steal your joy and convince you that you're a horrible nurse. I know...I'm there, actively looking outside of the NICU for work, since I can't stay on my unit any longer and no other local NICUs are hiring.

Then, out of the blue it happens. Someone tells you that the parents of a NICU grad is trying to find you, to reconnect so that you can see their now healthy baby, so they can thank you for your competent and compassionate care of their baby a few years ago.

They want to tell you what a difference you made in their lives. How they credit you with them having their baby today. How they've never forgotten your gentle care and kindness/understanding. How you're their hero. They want pictures of you snuggling their sweet, healthy baby.

Thank you, kind lady, for making my day. And for the small but greatly needed affirmation that the work I have done WAS appreciated, WAS competent, and WAS worthwhile. It'll help me leave this field, God willing, with some of my joy intact.

Specializes in neonatal.

Sorry to hear you're leaving the NICU. Hope you find happiness in your new adventure. I feel so lucky to work in the NICU. I've been there for 26 years, so yes I am one of the older nurses. I enjoy my co-workers young and old. We also have great neos and NNPs who value our opinion and treat us with respect. I hope you can find a place that values you also. Good luck and keep in touch.

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Greetings, friends.

May marked 1 year since I left the NICU. I still have days when I sorely miss it. My current job, though, has been a godsend. I work for a lady that loves us with all she has...supports us...has our back...promotes our wellbeing over every other consideration...truly, the best boss I've ever had in any part of my work life.

Add to that, I work with a team of brilliant professionals that are congenial, helpful, were willing to train me from scratch, and love each other (and me) like brothers and sisters.

ill always have the NICU in my heart, but where I am...right now...is where I needed to be.

I worry a bit about losing my bedside skills and ability to get a clinical job though since I'm not doing bedside nursing now for a year, but will cross that bridge when and if I come to it.

Reading this scares the crap out of me. I just accepted an offer at a different NICU across the country. My NICU is so amazing! Team work and comradeship to the max. I've agonized over the decision. The schooling offer and the chance to see and do more made me say "yes", but I am stressing the environment change BIG TIME. I fear the "young eating" and the stress of a level IV. I even jokingly (not so jokingly) asked my current manager if she's hire me back "home" if I just made the hugest mistake of my life. She chuckled, but I hope that meant 'yes', just in case I have to crawl back with my tail between my legs!

Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.
Reading this scares the crap out of me. I just accepted an offer at a different NICU across the country. My NICU is so amazing! Team work and comradeship to the max. I've agonized over the decision. The schooling offer and the chance to see and do more made me say "yes", but I am stressing the environment change BIG TIME. I fear the "young eating" and the stress of a level IV. I even jokingly (not so jokingly) asked my current manager if she's hire me back "home" if I just made the hugest mistake of my life. She chuckled, but I hope that meant 'yes', just in case I have to crawl back with my tail between my legs!

My unit has hired back several nurses after just a few weeks of being gone when they realize they made a big mistake. There have been some tense situations with hard feelings when this didn't happen. My 2 cents: Keep things positive before you leave & go into the new position with an open mind and best mindset.

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