Do you say NICK_U or N-i-c-u?

[tofutti]

Just wondering how it's pronounced where you live. I used to work in a hospital and we said n-i-c-u, each letter, but I've heard others say it like a word, nicku. Don't want to be a dork and say it wrong in school.

Thanks, Tofutti

[NicuNightRN]

I say Nicku...but every nurse in my unit answers the phone differently. Some say nicku, some say N-I-C-U, some say each word, some just say Neo or Neonatal. We don't have a neuro ICU, so perhaps that helps with confusion...

[military spouse]

Where I was in AZ, everyone called it the NICU (NickU), but we also called ICU the ICK U--and we really meant it!:rotfl:

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

Nickyou and then when civilians look blank I explain more fully.

[Mags4711, RN]

NICK-U, but our unit also has a name (Holden), so when I call lab, etc. I say I'm calling from Holden, and they know what I mean.

We also have a neuro ICU, and that's usually called "Neuro."

[JaxiaKiley]

Wow, I never thought about it. I always say nick-u

[stnurse2008]

I always say nick-u but most of the time I get a blank stare, so I end up having to explain anyway :) I wouldn't worry about sounding funny when you say it, either one should be fine.

[JoniL&DRN]

We have two... We say NC for the step down (neonatal continum) and NI (neonatal intensive).

[Tomskatt]

I have worked in places where it is called N"eye"cue, Nicku, NICN, Neonatal Intensive, you name it. I think each hospital has a culture of it's own............

[1/4lberrnc]

nick-u

[Annabelle57]

We get all of 'em, actually. Nick-u, neo, neonatal ICU, N-I-C-U. And our hospital has a big Neuro ICU, but I've only ever heard it referred to as "Neuro".

I don't think you'll be exiled to dorkdom if you use any of those terms.

[LoveTheNICU]

We generally say nick-u on my unit, however long ago, in the dark ages, we were called "preemie". We still receive packages, blood, supplies, drugs, etc. that are labeled for "preemie". If I am calling to the bloodbank, pharmacy, or even up to OB or to our stepdown, that is often what I still say to differentiate us from neuro.

[jess_m]

We say ICN where I work but I've mostly heard it referred to as the nick-u.