Could I still be a good nicu nurse???

[BSN_student2004]

I am an indecisive nursing student trying desperately to figure out what nursing unit would be a good fit. I like the nicu because I LOVE babies, I know I would learn a lot, grow professionally, and I really appreciate the setup (very team-like orientation), experienced nurses always near. I am not intimidated by the nicu environment itself, but would have to get used to handling preemies and all those tubes, wires, etc. I know that would come w/ experience. However, I am concerned about 2 things. First, how I will handle baby deaths, how I will handle the sadness, as I am prone to depression--though currently managing well. Secondly, more importantly, I am not exactly the fastest nursing student. I provide quality care, but not always the most efficient care, much to my dismay. Of course, I will be able to respond quickly to emergencies, it is my overall pace that is merely moderate. I feel like a disappointment on my current unit (not the nicu), despite having been there for a year. Perhaps, my pace will improve with confidence and experience in the NICU? Based on this information, could I develop into a proficient nicu nurse or should I consider a different unit? Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks, in advance, for reading this, have a great day! :)

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

Many people feel the same way about NICU. It's a very unique field of nursing, and most nurses tend to love it or hate it. The only real way to find out is to spend some time in NICU. During your clinicals in school, during OB or Peds you'll usually have a chance to float there for a day (observation only) - have you had that chance yet? And at the end of most nursing programs, there is often a final clincal in the unit of your choice, a much more intensive clinical that probably involves anywhere from 50-200 hours in the unit being precepted one-on-one by a nurse. If you're really interested in "trying on" the NICU, this would be perfect. Otherwise, working as a volunteer or nursing assistant in NICU would help.

You are right about the team environment. That is one of the reasons I love NICU so much. My unit is set up in a very open style, making it very easy to help a coworker while still keeping an eye out for your own little patients. The feeling of true teamwork and support is a powerful one, especially when there are 5-6 people crowded around a tiny baby, trying to save its life. Teamwork takes some of the stress out of NICU nursing.

As far as being a fast worker, you're still a student, remember, and nursing is still new to you. It takes a while to work up to being an efficient nurse, in any unit, but that will come once you've graduated and started working. As for handling the babies - you get used to it. Of course it's scary at first. But after awhile, it becomes such an amazing thing to work with such tiny human beings! I've been working NICU for five years, and I still get a rush from caring for a 1-pound baby. In what other unit can you lift your patient with one hand and change their linen with another? They have such personalities and are so beautiful that you see past the tubes and focus on the babies.

Yes, sometimes bad things happen on the unit. But as long as you have a good support system, both at work and at home, you'll be okay. It's hard on all of us when we lose a baby, especially if you were close to that baby and it's family, or if the death occurred on your shift. Death is just another part of life in the NICU, and while it is an awful thing, our job is to make it as peaceful as possible. We support each other the most during those times. Yes, there is horrible sadness, but sometimes there is a feeling of relief, if the baby was suffering. Probably only about 10% of NICU babies die, and half of the time, it's from extreme prematurity and you have to make your peace with the fact that you did everything you could for that baby, but it was just too soon. We've come far in medical techonology, but you have to respect nature. Keep getting treatment for your depression, especially during the transition from student to professional nurse.

Good luck.