Lehigh Valley Hospital

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Anyone working/worked there? What are your opinions of the hospital and how has your experience been?

Thanks

Specializes in NICU.
CCNurse,

Sounds very similar to where I work now...what would you say your daily census is? When I interviewed the director said that the core numbers for nurses was 11 per shift, so I was guessing your census was anywhere from 20-30?

Hi Sunny, sorry! I just saw this post (so its a few months late...:uhoh21:) Yes that is our typical census. We haven't been much above 25 for a few months now. Our base staffing is 11 for now, that will be changing to 12 in August. We are going to start taking more transitional kids to stabilize before sending to MBU...should be interesting.

Are you starting soon?

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Specializes in NICU.
Just wondering how you landed such an awesome job and how is it going? I would LOVE to work in the NICU when I graduate, have a year of school left. Do you have any suggestions for me? Thank you!!

Dekagirl, I would start looking at local NICU's as soon as you can. I applied and was hired a year prior to graduation, it seems that is the wise thing to do for any specialty. Keep your eyes open for openings or call yourself to inquire about internships or whatever. Good luck, NICU is a wonderful place to be a nurse. :-)

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Thanks, cc nurse. Did you already have critical care experience (I ask that because of your name)? Right now I'm doing an externship in ICU but I know adult critical care and neonate are very different. I guess right now you're in some kind of orientation for a few months? Are you enjoying it? I imagine you must be learning sooooo much! Sorry for all the questions, but you are exactly where I would like to be in a year from now. Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU.

CCNURSE,

Hi:)

I start orientation August 4th, and then have about a month-month 1/2 of orientation to the unit. I'm excited:) Did you decide to stay?

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Specializes in NICU.
Thanks, cc nurse. Did you already have critical care experience (I ask that because of your name)? Right now I'm doing an externship in ICU but I know adult critical care and neonate are very different. I guess right now you're in some kind of orientation for a few months? Are you enjoying it? I imagine you must be learning sooooo much! Sorry for all the questions, but you are exactly where I would like to be in a year from now. Thanks!

My user name is a reference to where I went to school (Cedar Crest College) as well as my intention at the time for pursuing critical care nursing.

I started Jan 2007 in a GN position directly in the NICU, I didn't have any adult based post-school courses. Our orientation is called a preceptorship and lasts about 6 months for new grads, "new to the NICU" nurses, less time for the experienced.

You're right, neonatal bears no resemblance to adult health care, I love it and can't imagine doing anything else for quite a while. :D

Good luck with your career path!

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Specializes in NICU.
CCNURSE,

Hi:)

I start orientation August 4th, and then have about a month-month 1/2 of orientation to the unit. I'm excited:) Did you decide to stay?

Hi Sunny! Yes, we are staying for now, the timing on the move was not looking like it was right. We will likely still head out there some time, just not right now.

Its a nice unit overall, you will like it I think :-) You'll have to look for me on nights!

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