Poll: What do you love about the NICU?

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I'm a nursing student with not too much farther to go. (YEAH!). I'm giving serious thought to starting in the NICU post-graduation. From what I have observed, it just seems to be the right fit for me. We get a 6 week preceptor-ship right before we graduate, so I'm hoping I'll be fortunate enough to get one of the limited NICU slots. I was just wondering why all of you love NICU nursing as opposed to general med-surg floors, peds, adult ICUs, ED, etc.... Also, what do you NOT like about the NICU? I just want to make sure I'm making the right decision here. TIA!

I got to spend only a day in the unit but I enjoyed the levels of acuity. Some babies are feeders and growers while others are on cooling or ecmo.

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I really enjoyed this post! So great to read positivity in a challenging area. I have really been considering if NICU is a good place to be and I must say, this post gave me a lot of hope.

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I agree, avrilmay86. I am hoping to be a NICU nurse someday, and this post was so encouraging!

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Specializes in NICU.

Make sure they orient you properly and you get to experience many different levels of acuity before you are put on the floor on your own.Read,read,read the Core curriculum everyday,ask questions but be respectful not a know it all.Always have snacks you can eat when you are hungry but can not go to break as in an emergency.good luck.

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A coworker of mine who went from adults to NICU jokes they one of his favorite things is how the patients dont argue or get mad at you. Sure the family might, he said, but that is true in any unit.

Also you dont have to worry about them falling out of bed.

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Specializes in NICU.
18 minutes ago, sergel02 said:

A coworker of mine who went from adults to NICU jokes they one of his favorite things is how the patients dont argue or get mad at you. Sure the family might, he said, but that is true in any unit.

Also you dont have to worry about them falling out of bed.

well, I wish the last part was true...I've ordered too many head CTs for babies...

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On 2/21/2019 at 4:48 PM, babyNP. said:

well, I wish the last part was true...I've ordered too many head CTs for babies...

How do they fall out of bed? I imaginet they are a bit wiggly.

Whenever I hold a baby I always worry about dropping them.

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