What if I am not cut out for NICU :'(

Specialties NICU

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bmsrn

35 Posts

Ellie hang in there. It should get easier. I wouldn't beat yourself up about the IV infiltrate. They happen. Our policy is to check the PIV every hour, even if you do this, it's still possible to have an infiltrate. To remind myself to check my PIV's, I set the pump to go off every hour. Most nurses set theirs to go off every 2 hours.

I'm also wondering where your preceptor is when all of this is going on? I just recently finished precepting a new grad, and I was by her side and always around to make sure she was doing okay. She got 16 weeks, and around week 12 I backed off a little to give her some independence, but I was always there for her. I was also almost always at her side when she gave report. It's not okay for other nurses to treat you that way, and your preceptor needs to let the nurses know that. Does your unit not have a standard NICU brain? Ours does, so we usually just follow that when we give report.

Forgetting to give meds? Again where is your preceptor? If I saw my orientee was forgetting to give a medication, I'd mention it when it was around 15 minutes late- we can give meds no later then 30 minutes late.

You need to develop a way or organization that works best for you. If it's you brain, then use that. When I was a new grad I had 1 sheet of paper that I carried in my pocket so that I could see what was going on with all of my babies, no matter where I was. It just had information like when feedings,meds, and labs were due. I also had a checklist for what I had charted. My brain stayed at each individual bedside, and that had things pretty much everything that Bortaz's sheet had.

Hope this helps.

ToughingItOut

120 Posts

Specializes in NICU.

Hi Ellie,

I was just wondering if you were feeling any better about becoming a NICU nurse. My heart goes out to you because only a little over two and a half years ago I was in almost exactly your same position. I cried every day. My hair was falling out. I was ready to quit...except that I had actually moved for this job, signed a contract, and despite it all, still loved NICU.

Do you know what made me feel better? Several experienced NICU nurses told me that it takes about 2-3 YEARS to become a somewhat experienced, proficient NICU nurse. Isn't that crazy!? 2-3 YEARS!! And we're talking an entry-level, proficient NICU nurse. In fact, I think many of these exprerienced nurses were happy that at least I knew that I didn't know it all. I don't know where some new grads get their confidence, but I sure wish they would have let me have some!! :p So, anyway, I just kept telling myself, "just 2-3 years, just 2-3 years, time will pass; this too shall pass;, this will all be better in 2-3 years, and then I can choose if I want to stay."

So, try not to be so hard on yourself. NICU nurses are an anal-retentative bunch with severe control issues...because we have to be, right? So don't let the other crazies drive you crazy. Honestly, I'm still not great at giving report. Some days it's a breeze, other days it's like...what the hell am I saying and why am I saying it...but there's a certain rhythm to report. And as others have said, just use your paper "brain," both to give report and keep you organized during the shift. I also use different colored pens on mine so info doesn't disappear into an abyss of black chicken scratches (for example: meds and lab times I circle and write in red, I circle care times in purple, and I will sometimes use green and blue for times I gave PRN's if I have a kid requiring tons of PRN's). I like to use one of those multi-color pens with the different tabs. Hey, if it works, it works, right? :)

Also, if you have a CRAZY shift or you see you see your shift quickly heading in the crazy direction, remember to glance at the clock and scribble down the times important things happened to make charting and report easier. I like to flip over my "brain" and use the blank backside. Ex: 1100 - bad gas; 1115 - xray; 1150 - intubation meds given; 1210- intubated; 1400 - MD at bedside to examine belly; 1515 - surgery at bedside; 1530 - xray; 1600 - blood started; 1630 - bedside surgery. These notes can SAVE you.

Meanwhile, almost three years after I started as a new grad in the NICU, I can tell you that I have found the wisdom of this 2-3 year mantra to be very, very true. I still learn something new every shift I work - thank God! In fact, NICU nurses who have been developing their practice for over 25 years are still learning. However, I can tell you that things definitely started to look up around the 18 month mark, and I am finally able to spend at least a little more of my time thinking about my patient as opposed to obsessing over time management and a list of tasks that still need to be done.

Good luck! I know that you are already a fabulous NICU nurse because you really do care. And remember, just 2-3 years.

Bortaz, MSN, RN

2,628 Posts

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Great post, ToughingItOut.

kaewing2003

13 Posts

Specializes in Peds/Critical Care/UM.

Thank you so much for posting this and thank you to all that replied. I have recently returned to the bedside after a 5 year hiatus and only 1 yr in the PCICU prior to that. I am new to the NICU and with only one year of clinical experience 5 years ago, I feel like a new grad. I am passionate about patient care but I have been feeling like maybe I am too old (37) or maybe I have just forgotten how to be a bedside nurse. I have only been on the floor for 1 1/2 shifts now. But, I can barely sleep for worrying about not being able to care for my patients. I am glad that I am not the only one feeling discouraged. I hope that you are feeling more confident now.

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