Characteristics of a NICU nurse

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Specializes in med/surg.

Hi NICU nurses,

I'm finishing the 1st semester of my accelerated second degree program (25% done, yay!). Anyway, today I was sitting down with my clinical instructor to evaluate my performance in the clinical setting. After going through the nitty gritty she asked me where I thought I would like to work upon graduation. I'm still not really sure and feel I'm interested in everything. She mentioned that she saw me working in the NICU. She's not sure why, just a feeling she got from watching me all semester. I have thought of the NICU and think it would be a wonderful place to work where I would be challenged everyday. My questions to you are, 1) what sorts of skills/characteristics does a good NICU have and 2) do you go into the NICU right after graduation or work your way through the nursery?

I will get some exposure to the NICU this summer in my mother/baby class. I'm just trying to determine if this is something that might be a fit for me.

Thank you in advance for sharing your wisdom!

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I've never worked in the NICU before, however, I've been a NICU baby mom 3 times. I have to say that the best NICU nurse I ever had was open and honest with me, very compassionate with us as a family. I could tell that she truly cared about the well being of my child. She was great. I have also had some that would come over, look at the baby, do whatever needed to be done, and then continue on about their business. Believe me I understand that nursing work is very busy, but you have to take the time to build a good trusting relationship with the parents of those youngins. Someone else can give you the more technical stuff, I hope I helped with the "moms POV"

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Specializes in NICU.

this is a question that has been asked many, many times. Please do a search on the forum and you will find some answers.

good luck!

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Specializes in med/surg.

@RNCoastiewife - thank you for sharing the parent's perspective. That is great information!

@babyRN - thank you for the tip. I will browse around here!

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