Is NICU the place for me??

[newish nurse]

Where to go…what to do.

I am preparing to graduate in December. Nursing is my second career, after a decade in business, and raising my kids.

I know there is information to be gained in med surg, but would prefer to go directly into another area.

From the very beginning of nursing school, and as far back as I can remember, I have been fascinated with both OR and NICU nursing. The thing is that neither experience during my clinicals swayed me one way or another, and job shadowing isn’t something that is available to me. I have learned over time that frequently there is a “type” of person to be found working in one environment or another. If you could tell me what kind of people you find yourself working with daily, maybe I will see myself in some of those traits, and the choice will be clearer.

While this might sound confusing to some people, I am hoping there are others reading this, nodding their heads, knowing exactly what I am trying to say.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[MA Nurse]

Where to go...what to do.

I am preparing to graduate in December. Nursing is my second career, after a decade in business, and raising my kids.

I know there is information to be gained in med surg, but would prefer to go directly into another area.

From the very beginning of nursing school, and as far back as I can remember, I have been fascinated with both OR and NICU nursing. The thing is that neither experience during my clinicals swayed me one way or another, and job shadowing isn't something that is available to me. I have learned over time that frequently there is a "type" of person to be found working in one environment or another. If you could tell me what kind of people you find yourself working with daily, maybe I will see myself in some of those traits, and the choice will be clearer.

While this might sound confusing to some people, I am hoping there are others reading this, nodding their heads, knowing exactly what I am trying to say.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I know a lot of nurses work in NICU because they want to deal with small patients that won't break your back. Or small diapers and smells that aren't really strong. You also have to be strong emotionally, which all nurses have to be. I don't know about OR, all I know is you have to have a strong stomach, IMO, working in the OR.

[spacey]

Hi...........I think I know what you're saying.

One typical type of nurse we have in our unit is smart, detail oriented, perfectionistic and analytical. They want to know why orders are written and they want to follow the same patients and get to see the big picture, medically with that patient. They enjoy the level 3 side of the unit...the more critical babies....more than the grower/feeders.

Nurses of this type enjoy having to look for subtle signs of change and heading off problems before they start. Some of these type nurses are very very smart and may have aspirations of getting advanced degrees or might wish they had had the opportunity to go to medical school. Some thrive on the adrenelin rush of super critical admits or code buzzers in L&D.

The other type of nurse we see is a more laid back, easy going personality that doesn't get stressed out if a feeding is 45 minutes late. They handle 4 or 5 babies consistently and enjoy the hands on care of the more stable grower-feeders. They sometimes enjoy level 3 assignments but can get easily flustered if things start happening too fast. While they frequently are very task oriented, they also develop a sense about how the babies are supposed to act and catch problems by instinct sometimes. They are often the family favorites on discharge, partially because of the time they spend with them in the last weeks of their stay.

In either type......of course..........there are exceptions. And within both types you will find those who are particularly happy in teaching and counseling/support type roles. Also...........in both types there are those who have found NICU because they wanted to do as little physical work as possible.

I know the interactions with the families is a big part of the NICU nursing experience......so I would consider if that is something you would enjoy.

I hope this is sort of what you were looking for!