Can you teach on old dog new tricks?

[TristleRN]

Hi, I've seen similar threads but would love any specific input for me. I've been an RN for 25 years, all with the adult population....limited pediatric exposure, mostly due to being on an IV team. Not sure what possesses me, but now I've accepted a NICU position (I have not started yet). I enjoyed that part of my rotation in school but oddly enough, never considered it for a career. I know it's a new world. I know neonates are not small adults. I know that a premie that looks fine now, can turn the tables in a split second.

I worry about my ability to successfully acclimate to the new setting when I know that, while I'm not a new grad and have years of experience, I will feel like a fish out of water. I would love to hear others experiences with switching to an entirely different world. I'm sure there are pros and cons to all.

Thanks!

[llg, PhD, RN]

Yes, but there is an emotional component that is hard to deal with. I taught NICU orientation for many years. Once nurses get experienced and really comfortable working in other specialties, it can be difficult to transition to NICU -- but it's not impossible. People can learn the material and skill -- but many find it emotionally uncomfortable to have the expert judgment be stripped away. Things are so different that their old "rules of thumb" no longer apply -- and that can make them feel insecure and unsafe. It can take several months to re-gain that feeling of comfort and security that came with competence in their previous field.

In my experience, when experienced nurses "failed" orientation or quit during or soon after orientation in the NICU -- it was rare that it was because they couldn't learn the new tricks -- it was because they didn't enjoy the feelings of insecurity and self-doubt that came with becoming a beginner again. Those who could handle those emotions can do just fine.

Good luck to you.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I'll second the above. If you can accept being a beginner again, you'll do fine. You already know how to talk to doctors, family members and the respiratory therapist. You know how to chart, when to check for orders and how to look up meds. So you're not a total beginner. Be prepared for your preceptor to be young enough to be your daughter. Or at least a niece!

Enjoy your new specialty. I've always said if you're not learning every day, you're not doing it right . . . and you're going to be learning a LOT!

[TristleRN]

Hi, I appreciate the input. I'm keeping an open mind and want to give this a fair chance. Any good resources out there so I can get a jump on learning?

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

We were required to get Merenstein & Gardner's Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care for reference and we are given readings out of it each week. We are also going through AWHONN's Neonatal Orientation and Education Program (NOEP) which is worth CEUs. The hospital paid for NOEP. We also covered the STABLE program, and will be going through NRP soon.