can I make it in nicu?

[abruns]

I have been a med/surg nurse for 11 years. I recently got hired in a small hospital nicu. I am having a lot of trouble adjusting. The nurses there have been there for 13+ years and can organize and assess like its nothing (I can do that with adults but not babies yet!!) anyway, I am beginning to get discouraged because I am not catching on as fast as I would like, and I am beginning to feel like a new grad all over again. Does anyone have any advice?

[Humbled_Nurse]

Just remember that going from adults to babies is a BIG CHANGE and babies are a lot different from adults and it could take a while to adjust. How long have you been at the new job? Is it a big NICU? Small NICU? Did you have a decent orientation? Most of the larger NICU's will have an internship for new grads and experienced nurses who are changing specialties so the experienced nurses are given the same type of training and orientation as a new grad. which usually lasts about 3 months. What made you decide to change from adults to babies?

The NICU is a whole different world, but it is an amazing, challenging world. I started in the NICU as a new grad. and it took a good year or so to feel fairly comfortable. I can remember watching the more experienced nurses thinking I will never be like them. I did eventually feel like one of them, but there are still situations that make me nervous or uneasy. I've also seen experienced nurses come to the NICU from the adult world and most of them do fine, but they usually go through a lengthy adjustment period. I have also seen experienced adult nurses try NICU and decide it was just too different and they went back to the adult world. As nurses it is soooo hard to come out of your comfort zone. My advice is if you really want to work NICU then just hang in there and take one day at a time. I would also suggest to do some reading on your own time about neonatology. Knowledge can be a great confidence booster.

Good luck to you!!