Wow! Finally got my NRP certification! I'm exhausted.

[NICU_Nurse]

Well, after working three 12's in a row, I was dumb enough to sign up for an NRP class yesterday. Yes, I actually stayed up for 24 straight hours with no sleep and attempted to take tests.

Um.

I am NEVER doing that again! LOL! What a nightmare! I don't know WHAT made me think I could do an eight hour class with no sleep, but I managed to make it through. Woohoo!

Unfortunately, we had to do a MegaCode at the end of it all, and I was teamed up with two other new nurses who knew even less and had even less experience than I did! I think we have permanantly brought a bad name upon neonatal nurses across the USA, so I want to take a moment to apologize to all of you. Sorry!

Of course, we managed to embarrass the hell out of ourselves in front of our head neonatologist, who btw happens to be one of the freaking forefathers and creators of NRP! OMG!

Note: Never try to engage in activities that require mental sharpness when you're a total zombie. But you knew that, right?

On the up side, the class was VERY interesting, and after taking it, I am AMAZED that they didn't require this right off the bat. I don't think it's too advanced for new grads, and it's such essential information that I kept wondering what the heck my manager was thinking when she made the rule that new grads don't have to have it right away. I've been operating in semi-darkness!

All of you new grads, don't be afraid! Take the class! It's a great class and it's really essential information.

I'm so glad it's over, though. Hubster gave me a full body massage this morning because I was so groggy getting out of bed. I just love him!

Yeeee. It's over. (This is me sighing with relief.)

So, I'm wondering: How often do you all review this material after you've taken the class? Because I know that if I don't make it a regular thing I'm going to forget a lot of it (like BLS; I have to review that on a regular basis...I have horrible short-term memory).

Ps. Do any of you actually perform intubations? We were told it's not in our scope of practice, but that a few nurses had been certified to do it. Anyone?

[jeffinerrn]

oops, sorry, I typed the wrong name, sorry Kristi!!:imbar

[pennieNICU]

We have to be NRP certified by the end of our orientation. I take it next month, I have heard that it is hard but well worth it. As a new grad I want as much experience and material to learn as possible if I have to go running to a code. Thanks for the heads up Kristi.

[webbiedebbie]

Thanks to those who responded about me taking the course next month.

The thing in my hospital is that the nursery nurses are responsible for the babies while they are on our floor. We are not supposed to even help them with breastfeeding (so we have been told). I'm not one to do something that sounds stupid to me. As far as I am concerned, if the babies are in the rooms on our floor, I am responsible for them and the teaching of moms of infant care and breastfeeding. I have helped many!

I wish we at least had a warmer on our floor. The nursery is just a few seconds away, but seconds can sometimes count. Not all of our rooms are set up for suction either. We don't have pediatric equipment on our floor either!

I am hoping the class will help. However, I am afraid that if I don't use it, I will lose it. The book and the CD are loaned to us to study. After that, I guess I'm on my own.

[NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN]

Jeffiner,

No, we are a teaching facility, so the births are attended by a horde of inters/residents and neo's when needed. They're assisted by the L&D nurses if they have to be, but it is extremely rare that there aren't enough of them present to handle it; usually the L&D nurses tend to the mom.

Occasionally we will have a baby who can't be intubated in the delivery room, and they will rush the baby to the NICU so our respiratory team can intubate, and then the babies are handed over to us.

Debbie, I have an extra book you are welcome to have if you like. I'd be happy to mail it to you if you're comfortable with that. Unfortunately, I don't have the CD (it shattered) that goes with it. I had to buy a new one when I signed up for the class. I had originally signed up a few months ago, but wasn't able to attend, so I ended up with two books, one working CD (which I'm keeping), and one broken one that I threw away. If you think you'll need the book, I'd be happy to fork it over to ya'. :>)

[webbiedebbie]

Thanks, Kristi! I pm'd you.

[Mira]

Congrats Kristi,goodluck debbie! I presume NRP is neonatal resuscitation procedure or anything to do with resus?

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We are required to have ours done by the end of our orientation. Our nursery staff and L/D and ER people have to take it too.

The renewal isn't as bad as that first test, but it amazes me that I still miss the same questions after 12 year LOL