Giving Nursing Students a Taste of NICU

Getting my hands wet (not literally, LOL) during clinicals in the NICU is what directly led to my being a NICU nurse. I couldn't see doing anything else; I walked out of that first NICU clinical day and told my instructor that's where I would be working after graduation .

I have a lot of students assigned to me and I enjoy, for the most part, having them. Since our acuity is high, we aren't supposed to let students do anything much more than observe, but I walk them around and try to give them a true picture of what it is we do. I also try to find time for them to cuddle a wee one--that's probably their favorite part .

Good for you Steve and llg, it's nurses like you who make a difference

It is so wonderful to hear an RN in the NICU to want to teach students and have them enjoy their time in that area. When I did my round there, I left feeling like I was not wanted and would never be invited back there again. It was exactly as you stated, I was dropped off, assigned to a Nurse that wanted nothing to do with me and did not speak to me unless I asked her a questions and with that I would only get a few words from her. I went in there wanting to learn so much and when I left, I wanted to be anything other than that Nurse I had that day. I would never want someone leaving after having me as a Preceotor and thinking the way I did when I left. Kodos to you and I wish there were more people that had your enthusiasm!!