After 20 yrs. in Level 3 NICU, I'm thinking about working Level 2 and just picking up occasionally in Level 3. The stress and intensity is getting to me. Especially the parents! I had parents of a 29 weeker asking me if his bedding would strangle him, if the feeding would drown him, etc. etc. They asked non-stop questions the whole shift, I try to be empathetic, but I'm having a hard time. I think it would be less stressful to take care of babies who are going home within weeks, instead of months! In some ways I'm feeling like a failure, but I can't take the stress. I know Level 2 can be stressful too, but the babies just aren't as sick and I think the parents are a little easier to deal with.
