I love the NICU

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Feb 16, 2008

Glad you had such a great experience in NICU, and got to see what really goes on there.....Adults will be over before you know it. In the meantime, have fun with big people and big messes.... :>)

WDWpixieRN, RN · Feb 16, 2008

How exciting for you!! We don't do any L&D or any babies during clinicals. We did a short rotation through a peds floor, but we weren't allowed anywhere near the NICU.

I had always thought that either an ER or NICU would be what I would be interested in at graduation.

I was fortunate enough to obtain an ER internship last summer, and by the time I was done, had had some wonderful opportunites to complete successfully many of the skills I had learned in my previous 2 semesters, but realized it wasn't really what I wanted to do in the long run.

We had done several other one-day rotations such as through the OR that I was definately able to rule out in very short order. This gave me good insight in to the need to take a look at things I "thought" I might have an interest in.

Knowing we didn't get to do a NICU or baby rotation, I called our local children's hospital and asked about a shadow. I didn't want to waste their time or mine if I was hired at graduation and found I also didn't really like that.

Wow!! I was blown away and left there SO excited!! I have now applied to 2 of the 3 NICU units in town and have my fingers crossed and my prayers said and am doing whatever I can to keep my hopes up that I am fortunate enough to get hired at one. My first interview comes up in a few weeks.

I think having the opportunity to see firsthand what goes on in a NICU and also being around some of the staff is vital to determining if one feels this, or any area, will possibly be a good fit.

Good for you for taking this initiative!! Good luck with your remaining schooling!!

NeuroNP · Feb 18, 2008

How exciting for you!! We don't do any L&D or any babies during clinicals. We did a short rotation through a peds floor, but we weren't allowed anywhere near the NICU.

Wow, NO L&D? I know several people (mainly guys) in my group who would love that, but I think that L&D (along with my NICU time of course!) has been one of my favorite rotations. I'm really sad it's over. I mean, I still prefer the babies to the mammas (except MY wife - who is 18 weeks pregnant right now!), but...

I was fortunate enough to obtain an ER internship last summer, and by the time I was done, had had some wonderful opportunites to complete successfully many of the skills I had learned in my previous 2 semesters, but realized it wasn't really what I wanted to do in the long run.

I used to work in a busy ER and they are a great place to learn, but I'm with you, I couldn't do it day in and day out. I found that I REALLY liked the "action" - trauma, MIs, etc - but didn't love the slow stuff as much. The action, though I loved it, wore on me after a while. Problem was, most of the ER nurses would rotate and do the slow stuff for a while for a break - I didn't like the slow stuff, even for a break! So, I guess it's not for me.

We had done several other one-day rotations such as through the OR that I was definately able to rule out in very short order. This gave me good insight in to the need to take a look at things I "thought" I might have an interest in.

Knowing we didn't get to do a NICU or baby rotation, I called our local children's hospital and asked about a shadow. I didn't want to waste their time or mine if I was hired at graduation and found I also didn't really like that.

I'm sure that will help you land a job. Not so much for any kind of experience you got, but because you took the iniative to set it up yourself because you were interested in it. Several people in my group complained that they didn't get to do anything like my NICU day, but my instructor explained to them that I took the initiative to ask. Most of them just sit around waiting to be told what to do.

NeuroNP · Feb 18, 2008

In the meantime, have fun with big people and big messes.... :>)

Not to mention the ever popular, "Go get that guy to help us lift this 500lb brittle diabetic, post MI, post CABG, etc patient..."

Another great benefit to the NICU... :up:

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Feb 18, 2008

Up until last month our IV pumps were heavier than most of our pts. Now we have new lightweight ones....

LuvaBSNRN, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2008

OK, I just wanted to say that. I am in nursing school now and I want to do NICU when I get out. Currently, we are in our L and D rotation and as part of that we do ONE day in clinicals in the NBN. There is NO NICU exposure in our program. We can't even do NICU as our senior practicum. So, the other day, I'm supposed to be in the NBN. Well, the hospital where I'm rotating only takes new C-section kids to the NBN. OB "catches" their own and they room in on Mother Baby.
So, we get there (3 of us) and there are NO babies. None. My classmates find chairs and sit down to chat and kill time when an idea seizes me. I tell the NBN nurse that I want to do NICU when I'm done and since there are no kids in NBN, could I spend the day in the NICU. Sure she says. In fact, the NICU nurses were thrilled because someone was showing interest and not just completing an assignment.
So, I spent the day in the NICU and it was hands-down the BEST clinical day of nursing school. I actually skipped my lunch break so I could be in the unit longer! My classmates in NBN eventually got some kids and even got to give some shots. I got to help admit 31 week twins (1190g and 1620g), hold a 800g kid for an IV start, assess several other preemies and got to see a ton. If I wasn't sure that I wanted to do NICU before, I am now!
This was a level II unit, but they take kids 28 weeks and up as long as they don't need ECMO or heart surgery. They've got neos in house 24/7 and a deal with the Children's hospital down the road to see kids who need subspecialist consults but don't need the drive across town.
I was actually kind of surprised at the level of acuity for a community hospital!
Just wanted to share my excitement. Too bad that rotation is over and next it's back to med-surg and boring old adults!
Bryan

Just wanted to say that I, too, had a similar experience about 3 weeks ago. I work at a pediatric facility and do my peds rotation there as well. I had the opportunity to go into the NICU for a 12 hour shift and I loved it as well! Fortunately, I have been afforded an opportunity to do my preceptorship in the NICU and from there, hopefully I will be able to make a final decision if this the route I would like to go!

Good luck to you :nuke:

Take care!

SarasotaRN2b · Feb 20, 2008

Sounds like you had a great experience, Bryan. Good for you and your initiative.

Kris

hikernurse · Feb 26, 2008

OK, I just wanted to say that. I am in nursing school now and I want to do NICU when I get out. Currently, we are in our L and D rotation and as part of that we do ONE day in clinicals in the NBN. There is NO NICU exposure in our program. We can't even do NICU as our senior practicum. So, the other day, I'm supposed to be in the NBN. Well, the hospital where I'm rotating only takes new C-section kids to the NBN. OB "catches" their own and they room in on Mother Baby.
So, we get there (3 of us) and there are NO babies. None. My classmates find chairs and sit down to chat and kill time when an idea seizes me. I tell the NBN nurse that I want to do NICU when I'm done and since there are no kids in NBN, could I spend the day in the NICU. Sure she says. In fact, the NICU nurses were thrilled because someone was showing interest and not just completing an assignment.
So, I spent the day in the NICU and it was hands-down the BEST clinical day of nursing school. I actually skipped my lunch break so I could be in the unit longer! My classmates in NBN eventually got some kids and even got to give some shots. I got to help admit 31 week twins (1190g and 1620g), hold a 800g kid for an IV start, assess several other preemies and got to see a ton. If I wasn't sure that I wanted to do NICU before, I am now!
This was a level II unit, but they take kids 28 weeks and up as long as they don't need ECMO or heart surgery. They've got neos in house 24/7 and a deal with the Children's hospital down the road to see kids who need subspecialist consults but don't need the drive across town.
I was actually kind of surprised at the level of acuity for a community hospital!
Just wanted to share my excitement. Too bad that rotation is over and next it's back to med-surg and boring old adults!
Bryan

Good for you. My day in the NICU for clinicals left me so excited I'm now a NICU nurse. My CI even gave me extra days because I was so thrilled to be there. Maybe we'll see you in a year .

preemieRNkate, RN · Feb 26, 2008

Not to mention the ever popular, "Go get that guy to help us lift this 500lb brittle diabetic, post MI, post CABG, etc patient..."
Another great benefit to the NICU...

Oh yeah, I always joke that I need a lift assist with my FT babies that weigh 8 or 9 lbs. Seriously, they look huge next my 2 lb preemie!

Nursingchicka21 · Feb 26, 2008

i love the NICU!!! i worked as a PCA in 2 diff NICU's.....only an LPN right now and they dont hire LPNs but as soon as im done with my RN...NICU will be my permanent home!!! Can't wait!!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2008

Glad you had a good experience, Bryan!

I *thought* that I wanted to do NICU nursing from the start - it's why I went to nursing school. But there was always some doubt in my mind that it would be nothing like I expected. Then in my junior year of nursing school I got to do an observation day in the NICU at a teaching hospital. Oh my gosh!!! It was, like you said, the best clinical day EVER!!! It just felt like *home* as corny as that sounds. I was just like, "Yep, this is it. My gut was right!"

Went on to work as a nursing assistant in a NICU my senior year, then did my senior role transition in another NICU, and a few months later I started in the unit where I've been now for nearly ten years. Never looked back. It is so wonderful when you find your niche, isn't it? It just hits you like a ton of bricks!