Study Resources for Certification and/or NICU Newbies

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I was browsing the NCC website, looking for basic study guides for the certification exam. On one of the .pdf files, they had the following list of recommended study material. Any others you guys would recommend?

I figured these would be good not only for preparing for the certification, but also for the new folks that are always in search of preparatory material for starting in the NICU.

1.11. Tappero, et al., Physical Assessment of the Newborn, NICU, Ink, 2009.

2. Simpson, et al., Perinatal Nursing, LWW, Philadelphia, 2009. 3. Gleason, et al., Avery's Diseases of the Newborn, Elsevier Saunders, 2012.

4. Gardner, et al., Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care, Mosby Elsevier, 2011.

5. Yaffe, et al. Neonatal and Pediatric Pharmacology, Therapeutic Principles in Practice, LWW, 2011.

6. Verklan, et al., Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing, Saunders Elsevier, 2010.

I know most everyone is familiar with the Gardner and Verklan books, but what of the others? Are they worth using?

I really frustrate myself with this certification process. I'm too lazy to study consistently, and have been putting this off now for nearly 3 years. Always with the "I'm going to do it next year!"

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Those are the two we use in our classes we teach in our unit for people wanting to take the test. Simple and straightforward.

[prmenrs, RN]

Those look very good to me.

#2, the Avery book is formidable! Might scare some folks off.

Perinatal nursing might be too OB oriented. My experience w/perinatal stuff is that they might have a few chapters that focus on the baby, and usually tend to get into breastfeeding issues. I could be wrong.

The Tappero book is excellent! You know how I feel abt Merenstein. Core curriculum is, imo, good for prepping for certification, but not good as a "beginner" book.

All 6 of those books will set you back $567!! The pharm book is >$200. Good thing they're all tax-deductable!!

[HyperSaurus, RN, BSN]

Prmenrs, what is your opinion r/t Merenstein? I just ordered that book. My grandmother gave me the 1989 copy, I figured I should probably get the updated one

[prmenrs, RN]

Merenstein, imo, is the text of choice for newbies. It explains pathophysiology best, easiest to understand. It may not go far enough for 'veterans', but they will usually know where to look for more info. Like many texts, it is hard to keep it as current as journals b/o of the lag time between writing the text and publication. As a starting point, I really like it. After that, keep current on journals from both NANN and ANN and watch for conferences.

I also highly recommend Neofax, avail as an e-book, for a drug reference. There are apps, which I have not kept up on since I retired in 2010; but there is one called "jaundice" (yes, really) that was very useful.

If someone else has another opinion, feel free to chime in.

[prmenrs, RN]

BTW, Merenstein passed away a couple of years ago, I'm hoping they will continue to update that book. Even tho I'm not working, if they come out w/a new one, I'll buy it!

[thatsthekeyRNC]

The Tappero book is excellent! You know how I feel abt Merenstein. Core curriculum is, imo, good for prepping for certification, but not good as a "beginner" book.

I'm a newbie and this is what my educator told me, to focus on Merenstein because they give more "why" and "how". She recommended core curriculum down the road to study for certification. So 4 weeks in, I've dabbled in Merenstein and good ole google!

[HyperSaurus, RN, BSN]

Good think I got the Merenstein book then. I start in a few weeks and I know my new unit has a copy of Core Curriculum. I plan to study while on vacation my last week on Medical. Just checking, but did you say there is an app called 'Jaundice'?!

Thanks, by the way, for your advice. It is very much appreciated

[prmenrs, RN]

Yes, that is the name of the app. There are fancier looking apps, but this worked great. Even the docs were asking for it. (the last place I worked was a small Level 2, private pediatricians frequently cared for their own term babies w/less than critical issues.)

I looked @ the iTunes store, and there are now a TON of cool looking apps for NICU. I restrained myself, however!!

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I found 2 apps for phototherapy, but none were named Jaundice.

[prmenrs, RN]

can't look for it right now, iTunes is being "updated".

BUT. Source is marketwall.com DoctorCalc » Jaundice and Hyperbilirubinemia

Actually, what I like most is the little yellow baby icon. Sorry!

[prmenrs, RN]