Low NICU census

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Specializes in NICU.

About a year ago, we were busy, very busy. Some very sick babies, and many preemies. Now the census is down, and nurses are having to stay home, sometimes missing 2 or more days on a paycheck.

Is it like this everywhere? I know L&D has had slightly less patients. Are we doing better with prenatal care, so we are having less preemies etc.?

I have read that families are deciding to hold off having another child due to the economy, but as many of our patients are Medicare, that has not seemed to be a factor. We have our fair share of teenage moms, with little money and few resources.

So what's it like elsewhere?

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Not at my hospital. My nicu is HOPPING! Very sick, high census, nurses from the other units floated there 2 out of their 3 shifts a week. And it's been like this for almost 2 months now, needless to say people are starting to get grumpy!

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

We've been really low census lately. I hate walking through the pedi dept on the way to Nicu and see their assignment board full of pts, knowing we have no babies and I'm probably going to be floated. Ruins my day.

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm in a hospital with fairly low NICU census too. I can't pinpoint exactly why, but its been happening for about 2 years according to some of the other nurses I work with. (I haven't been at this hospital very long). I think a lot of it depends on the location and how many NICU's are in the area. It seems that areas with more than 1 or 2 NICU's are saturated and can't keep their units full.

It might be a good time to consider getting trained in another area if you're interested and if your manager would allow it. PICU, Peds, or L&D perhaps. I've learned that if anyone is willing to let you cross train you should take it! Not many places are willing to pay for it, so take the experience if you can. Maybe you can work out a deal to train once a pay period on another unit as long as census is low.

Or consider a registry, or per diem, job in the area too. I find that just because my NICU is slow, it doesn't mean others in the area are as well. It's really hit or miss.

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at my unit we have been extremely busy. we are a 52 bed unit and have had a census of 60+or- a few for well over 6 months. it has been very trying and overwhelming.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

We were slow, but we recently picked up again. I like being slow,but only for a small amount of time!

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Our census has been moderate to high. Our acuity has been high. So many micros on vents. In a few weeks we'll be full of feeder/growers!

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Specializes in NICU.

Pretty low in my unit too...we are expecting triplets tomorrow, which will put us at 29/42 beds

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I was canceled tonight, after being off the last two. Last day I worked we had maybe 12 babies (none level 3). They discharged 4 and admitted 2 while I was off. We normally average 18-22 babies.

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Specializes in NICU.

Aw man I hate that for you that you've had to be cancelled! Nope that I want babies to be sick, but I'd sure love some admits!

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.
Aw man I hate that for you that you've had to be cancelled! Nope that I want babies to be sick, but I'd sure love some admits!

I'm a former workaholic that no longer minds being canceled. But, admitting a few babies wouldn't hurt, because it'd eliminate the chances of being floated to Pedi or PICU. :/

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Specializes in NICU.

Ooh, I can see both points there! lol. Not that I would necessarily mind being cancelled, but I would rather have the full pay on my check too! Definitely agree with not having to float...especially now that's flu season!

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