Aspiring Male NICU Nurse

[seej]

Are there Male NICU nurses here? If yes, what made you take up that specialization and what keeps you motivated for it?

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Yes, there are several of us.

What made me decide NICU? I like the ICU environment without the 300 pound patient in the bed.

Motivations:

I would rather clean a 2 pound baby's butt than a 300 pound adult butt.

I like the fact that we have doctors on the unit 24/7.

Working with doctors that truly value and respect the nurses.

The satisfaction of seeing a 1.5 pound baby born 4 months early go home as a healthy 5 pound baby.

Having zero drama with being a male nurse taking care of a female patient.

[seej]

Cool. Thanks sir!

[prmenrs, RN]

@guyinbabyland: Except for the last motivation, those are the same reasons women choose this field. And you have to admit, those kiddos are way cuter than the grown-ups!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

those kiddos are way cuter than the grown-ups!

As I have suggested in an old thread, every hospital should have a Cuddle Room. If you have an extremely stressful day.. go to the Cuddle Room. Preemie babies have magic powers. They are experts at sucking all the stress out of you. A 30 minute cuddle session and you are good for the rest of the day.

Add to my list of motivations: Never having to deal with a patient with C-Diff.

[seej]

You guys are amazing!

[labordude, BSN, RN]

I did NICU for 10 years before moving to L&D. There are quite a few guys in NICU and a lot of times we are the baby whisperers. I agree with guy in babyland, it's amazing what holding a baby can do for your stress and mindset. I almost always hold the baby before I send my families over to postpartum, it's an amazing way to say "hello to the world" and "I'm glad I could help you get here safely."

Oh, Guy in Babyland, this is for you! It's my newest badge reel.

[prmenrs, RN]

I liked gazing a brand, new human, mentally congratulating him/her for completing all the complicated physiologic tasks involved w/becoming a separate being from their mother!

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

Having zero drama with being a male nurse taking care of a female patient.

Never say never! I heard tell once of a parent who insisted that all the boy babies be turned to face the other way while his girl baby's diaper was changed. People are endlessly creative

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Never say never! I heard tell once of a parent who insisted that all the boy babies be turned to face the other way while his girl baby's diaper was changed. People are endlessly creative

I guess they would want me to close my eyes while I changed their daughter's diaper. I better start practicing, just in case.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I had EMS experience before nursing, so I liked the fact that I'd be able to provide some critical care while also getting to know patients over a longer period of time. I find myself attracted to novelty, so working in a big NICU satisfies my curiosity toward new things even 12+ years later.