does anybody NOT like nicu???

Specialties NICU

Published

It's seems that everyone i encounter absolutely loves nicu. which is great & motivates me even more to want to work in nicu!!! so does anybody not like it??

Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.

That wasn't totally serious ... they're just so SMALL! =)

In reality, I'm not a fan of NICU because I work PICU. So when I get pulled there, I'm often working to save a kid who I know I'm going to be seeing for years to come on multiple admissions as a chronic PICU kid. It makes me sad quite often.

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That wasn't totally serious ... they're just so SMALL! =)

In reality, I'm not a fan of NICU because I work PICU. So when I get pulled there, I'm often working to save a kid who I know I'm going to be seeing for years to come on multiple admissions as a chronic PICU kid. It makes me sad quite often.

I was like,"Does she do vascular surgery on her unit???". :uhoh21:

And you are so right about seeing some of these kinds in PICU for the next 20 years.

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NICU is a place of miracles and second chances.

I don't like it and would never work in NICU because my twin boys are ex 27 week preemies who spent alot of time there almost 10 years ago. It was because of the wonderful caring dedicated NICU nurses who made all the difference.

**Just because a baby is in NICU now doesn't mean they are doomed to be a PICU kid. **

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**Just because a baby is in NICU now doesn't mean they are doomed to be a PICU kid. **

Yes, we know. But there are some that will be in and out of the hospital the rest of their lives and we recognize who they are.

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Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.

**Just because a baby is in NICU now doesn't mean they are doomed to be a PICU kid. **

Sorry ... didn't mean to imply that. Just speaking to the reality that, for some, that's the outcome. I know lots of NICU babes who were SUPER sick and are fine now. I know others who have some ongoing medical issues but have never darkened the door of a PICU. As a PICU nurse though, I have the often heart-wrenching honor of caring for those who don't have such good outcomes.

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I love NICU nursing. who doesn't love babies? but about 10 yrs ago a 1 yr resident said to me "I hate this place. I going into rehab medicine and I don't think there should be a unit in the hospital that keeps me in business." I was so shocked I did't know what to say.

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.

What a great discussion.

I had my rotation in NICU this week and fell in love!! I couldn't keep my hands off the little nippers - and I promise I washed thoroughly between babies. HONEST!

Of all the clinical experiences I've had so far, this has been the best. I haven't stopped thinking about those babies for a minute. I really think this is the place for me.

As for the sadness, I can deal with that. I realize that not everyone has a positive outcome, but I feel like the world needs people like me who can accept that and give excellent care.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I think there is a niche for everyone in nursing. Hats off to those that work NICU. I worked adult ICU but didn't like long term relationships with patients. ER was my thing: treat'em and street'em. lol

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry.
i have never worked nicu but did part of my maternity i clinical rotation in the nicu. i hated every minute of it. all those babies on all the tubes and machine... i spent 4 hours rocking a heroin addicted premie...i watched the doctor tell 2 really wonderful people that their baby had downs and some type of leukemia...after that, i went home and cried & cried. nicu is definitely not for me. my heart can't take it.

jmho

i am still in nursing school and just yesterday, i went to the nicu for the first time. i almost started crying. one of the babies there, reminded me so much of my little sister. she was a premie and looked exactly like this little baby boy who was being cuddled and soothed by his momma. i almost lost it right there. also, i saw another baby who, according to the nurse and forgive me if i get this wrong, had a four degree (?) brain bleed, which what the nurse told us, meant that his brain was "mush". his hematocrit was low so he was receiving blood when we got there, and i just felt my heart break. :(

another baby had a one degree (again, forgive me if i'm saying it wrong) brain bleed, but when they did his ct scan early this week, they found that the bleed had healed. :) that did bring a smile to my face because in a few months' time, he is going to go home.

however, the nicu is not for me. my heart was breaking after only a few minutes of being there. i'm not sure i'm strong enough to do that job. :(

when i was in school i wanted to work nicu too. everyone told me it was too sad, so i did adult icu. a few years later i saw firsthand nicu was not a sad place, so i finally got the nerve to do it. i lost as many pts my first year in adults as my entire career in nicu. people are surprised when i tell them 99% of our babies are discharged from our unit.it is it so rewarding to see that 600 gm baby you worked so hard over/with go home, have that drug addicted baby cuddle up against you and go to sleep, get the down's baby to finally take a whole bottle. i wish i had done this sooner!

this is wonderful! i'm happy that you're happy there! it's a lovely experience. :) you seem to love it there, and you seem to care enough for those kids. they are lucky to have you. :)

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Second what traumaRUs said.

I admire all who work NICU/PICU. Kudos to each and every one!!!

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Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.
I admire all who work NICU/PICU.

See, PICU is a bird of an entirely different colour. We only have the rare few who stay for a while (like the one babe who's celebrating day 200 on... Wednesday?) The rest are in & out. I think our average length of stay (probably minus those outliers) is somewhere around 3 days.

Any NICU people know average stays on your units? I'd be very interested.

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I'm a student, but when my children were in the NICU, (because you also see all the other babies along with yours...some worse...some better) I told one of the nurses on Day 4 in the hospital, that I thought they were incredibly special people to work in the NICU. I couldn't hardly touch my own children and they all seemed extremely comfortable with these little fellows....I also mentioned that it must be hard emotionally to see so many babies so fragile.

The nurse's response was this...and I'll never ever forget what she said....

"Actually, all of us really and truly love our jobs and it isn't as hard emotionally as you think...these babies get better, and it is so rare that we lose one. When we do it's usually because they were born much too early to survive at all, or many times there are complications that the parents were somewhat aware of even before the baby is born. We celebrate with every gained ounce and milestone just like the parents do."

I wish I could remember the name of the nurse...she very much inspired me to go to nursing school.

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