Advice for new RN to NICU!

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I am very blessed to have the opportunity as a new graduate to have a job and ecstatic that I will be working in a level III NICU. I was able to do my "Role Transition/Nursing Management" within a level III NICU so I feel like a have a general idea of what to expect.

I am wondering if the seasoned RNs would be able to share some of their knowledge on what I should know going in on the first day. You have to remember that as a new graduate I have a very generalized knowledge and NICU is a entirely different ball game.

I also would love to know if you have any 'unwritten rules' you live by that helps you in your practice.... For example: one thread says " never trust a 35 week neonate" but i would not have known that unless reading what you all are saying!

Any pointers/help would be AwEsOmE and thank you!!

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I was a new grad into a Level III NICU. I'm only 8 months in but I can tell you this.

1. Don't act like you know anything, because you don't.

2. Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions. There are no stupid questions.

3. Take any opportunity for tasks, assignments, knowledge that you can safely take.

-If your MDs/NNPs are gathered around the computer looking at xrays, get behind them and look and listen. Ask your experienced NNPs why we are doing such and such. Ask around your unit for IV sticks and try them. Find a handful of "mentor" nurses and TRUST THEM.

4. Never be afraid to admit you don't know anything, even to parents.

5. Create a desire and environment for learning.

6. Trust your gut, even us new nurses have one.

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Those are all great tips, but I am nervous about the whole " you don't know anything" note because I know I have SOO much to learn but I also don't want them to think I'm an idiot.

I purchased a NICU text that my preceptor suggested when I was in my role transition and I have read alot and used it as a reference.... What im trying to say is that I am very eager to learn ANYTHING anyone has to teach me and I try to go above and beyond to research stuff on my own too.

What I am worried about it that other nurses will treat me like I am an idiot because I am new. That will be the worst! I just want someone to not look at me or talk to me like I'm an idiot; but to just teach me!

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Specializes in L&D/NICU/Pediatrics.
Those are all great tips, but I am nervous about the whole " you don't know anything" note because I know I have SOO much to learn but I also don't want them to think I'm an idiot.

I purchased a NICU text that my preceptor suggested when I was in my role transition and I have read alot and used it as a reference.... What im trying to say is that I am very eager to learn ANYTHING anyone has to teach me and I try to go above and beyond to research stuff on my own too.

What I am worried about it that other nurses will treat me like I am an idiot because I am new. That will be the worst! I just want someone to not look at me or talk to me like I'm an idiot; but to just teach me!

Good luck!!! What kinds of experiences did you have during your preceptorship? I'm interested in the NICU. :)

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Good luck!!! What kinds of experiences did you have during your preceptorship? I'm interested in the NICU. :)

Thank you! I look forward to all the NICU world is going to teach me!

For my nursing management/role transition for nursing school I was in the NICU. I have not started orientation for my job yet, it starts on Aug 13th.

The experiences I had while in the role transition were everything from feeder-growers to babies ventilated while on 3-4 drips and with an ICP. So I learned a lot in the short time but I also realize that it was minimal exposure to the specialized NICU.

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Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.

The best advice I can give you is to go in with confidence.

Confidence does not mean you are cocky or that you know anything, it just means that you believe in yourself and your ability to learn and do your job well.

That is how I earned the respect I did from my fellow nurses and the docs I work with.

Ask a lot of questions and if you see a kid on the floor that has something rare, go be nosey and ask questions because you never know when you will see it again.

When you are on orientation, take all of the opportunities given to you without complaint. If you are not getting the experience that you want, talk to your preceptor about your options and what you can do. If you have the opportunity to go to deliveries or surgery on orientation, take it while you can (especially the surgeries!).

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