any advice? (for a soon-to-be intern)

Specialties NICU

Published

Specializes in 5years OR; NICU since Oct 2011.

hi all. i posted last year about applying for a nicu job. i have always wanted to work in the nicu and for a year now i have been actively speaking with our nicu manager and it seems that the ball is finally rolling (slowly...)

currently i am an or nurse (have been for 5 years) so i spoke with the nicu manager last thursday and she told me i qualify for the internship program, which i am very excited for:yeah:. so i understand that i will be getting a good quality foundation and orientation, but i was wondering if you had any advice as to what i should be doing now for the next month or so before i can actually transfer, to help prepare myself for the internship/nicu position. any advice would be great. i have looked at a lot of websites, saved and printed lots of information on drugs, labs(although i haven't found much on this..?), terminology etc. i even found a spread sheet on this forum that i loved and printed out so that i will have a starting template.

is there anything else i should be looking up, learning, reading doing :confused:? also, would it be wise to go ahead and buy an infant stepthoscope? i am assuming so, but figured i would ask (looking like a real newbie here...:rolleyes:) thank you in advance for you advice and your forum has taught me so much!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

We have a huge binder we give the girls which is used in conjunction with reading material and a book. We also send them to several classes.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Retired NICU.

Listen....and observe....don't be afraid to ask questions.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Congratulations!!

And don't buy a stethoscope without checking with your unit. Most NICU's provide one for each infant.

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Maybe consider borrowing some of the unit's parent education materials.... it will give you a good overview in "easy to absorb quickly" language so you hit the ground running. Also, if the unit has any books on the "experience" of being a NICU parent... that might be helpful to prepare for understanding and supporting the other half of our patient load. I'm excited for you! I hope you love it!

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What kind of spreadsheet did you find? Would you mind sharing the link with me? Thanks! :o

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Hey, i remember you! Happy to see your almost there!

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