First Day On The Job!!

Specialties NICU

Published

So yesterday was my first day in the NICU and as a new graduate! It wasn't the main unit...I'm starting in a step down, step down unit...where they have to be before they go home. Regardless, I had a blast!!! Just feeding and changing these tiny babies put a smile on my face. I still need to realize they aren't as fragile as they look, :/. My preceptor just picks them up and turns them without even thinking. I on the other hand, can't figure out how to manuever them like she can lol. It was my first day, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it next time! 5 more weeks and I'll move to the stepdown unit. This whole journey is going to be exciting and rewarding! If anyone wants to throw some tips or advice in here, I'll take anything! :)

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So happy! Congrats on the new job! Glad you like it! I'm a new grad too and will begin my position July 9th. L&D. I am beyond exicited. All the best to you with your new start!:nurse:

So yesterday was my first day in the NICU and as a new graduate! It wasn't the main unit...I'm starting in a step down, step down unit...where they have to be before they go home. Regardless, I had a blast!!! Just feeding and changing these tiny babies put a smile on my face. I still need to realize they aren't as fragile as they look, :/. My preceptor just picks them up and turns them without even thinking. I on the other hand, can't figure out how to manuever them like she can lol. It was my first day, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it next time! 5 more weeks and I'll move to the stepdown unit. This whole journey is going to be exciting and rewarding! If anyone wants to throw some tips or advice in here, I'll take anything! :)
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I wish you the best of luck. You have now entered the true beginning of your nursing education. You've achieved something really great! Just be a sponge and absorb all you can. The advice I'd like to share is to ask lots of "why" questions to help you understand and develop the critical thinking skills that will make you a good nurse. Realize that the job is inherent with stressors and allow yourself time to decompress after a busy day. Especially after a dramatic day. It gets better. Oh, and most importantly, at least in my book, never ever forget your 5 R's in drug administration. I know it's already been drilled into you but it is so important that I, as a nurse of 25 years, still repeat it in my head before I give any med. I hope you find nursing to be a rewarding career. Welcome to the club!

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Specializes in NICU.

I echo that sentiment about drug admin! I gave calcium gluconate for the first time yesterday and had to draw it up/dilute it myself (our pharmacy used to do it). Even though I've been a nurse for nearly 4 years, you can bet I triple checked that! Our facility has a policy to have a med witness on narcotics/electrolyte boluses, but you're only as safe as the other person too! Always have the "duh" moment with yourself and ask, "Does this make sense?" when giving a drug for the whys and the dose range

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Thanks everyone!! I am SOOO anal about medications, I quadruple check everything! Luckily, that is one of my strengths! I try to ask as many questions as I can. Right now, since I'm just getting familiar with this area, I don't know exactly what to ask about. Of course when I see something I don't understand I make sure to bring it up. I'm hoping with time, my critically thinking becomes better! In school...yeah...I critically thought with adults...but this is a whole new world!! I'm excited to be apart of the club :)!

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congrats!

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So yesterday was my first day in the NICU and as a new graduate! It wasn't the main unit...I'm starting in a step down, step down unit...where they have to be before they go home. Regardless, I had a blast!!! Just feeding and changing these tiny babies put a smile on my face. I still need to realize they aren't as fragile as they look, :/. My preceptor just picks them up and turns them without even thinking. I on the other hand, can't figure out how to manuever them like she can lol. It was my first day, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it next time! 5 more weeks and I'll move to the stepdown unit. This whole journey is going to be exciting and rewarding! If anyone wants to throw some tips or advice in here, I'll take anything! :)

CONGRATS madame. I too will be starting on a NICU Level III unit late july at my dream hospital. I am sooooo excited and was happy to read about your experience as a new grad too. I am ready to learn everything it is to know about neonates. Congrats again madame!

I loved reading everyone else advice too. very helpful and encouraging.

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Best of luck to you! I have never worked with babies.. so all I know is the diapers are smaller.

I am aware of a situation in my area.. a large well known pediatric institution..

nurse overdosed a preemie on heparin, baby nearly died.. we are wondering how that kinda of miscalculation could have happened?

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L&D is my specialty of choice even though I haven't gotten into a nursing program yet. Which part will you be working in??

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

nurse overdosed a preemie on heparin, baby nearly died.. we are wondering how that kinda of miscalculation could have happened?

Usually when that happens, it's because they grabbed the adult dosage heparin instead of the neonatal dosage, and without looking closely at the bottle, they gave a dosage that was off by 100. An adult dosage bottle might have had 10,000 units per ml, while a neonatal bottle might have had 10 units per ml, for example. It's sheer stupidity to have both types of dosages next to each other, and most facilities no longer keep them together anymore for that very reason.

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