New Grad NICU RN...tips/advice!

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jul 19, 2020

Here is a couple of books that are highly recommended for new NICU nurses. You don't need to buy the newest edition.

Merenstein & Gardner's Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care

https://www.amazon.com/Merenstein-Gardners-Handbook-Neonatal-Intensive/dp/032332083X/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (AWHONN))

https://www.amazon.com/Curriculum-Neonatal-Intensive-Nursing-AWHONN/dp/032322590X/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=032322590X&pd_rd_r=8d184d18-2ae8-11e9-9383-b9ef8e54b940&pd_rd_w=vSjy0&pd_rd_wg=bbSUh&pf_rd_p=90485860-83e9-4fd9-b838-b28a9b7fda30&pf_rd_r=1ZCTZHZG17E2DARAD5M8&psc=1&refRID=1ZCTZHZG17E2DARAD5M8

boop the snoot, BSN · Aug 1, 2020

I'm a new grad starting in a level IIIb NICU on Monday! paperwork and formalities this first week but I am soooo excited!!

nurse.dani. · Oct 23, 2020

On 7/18/2020 at 10:08 AM, coastalsoul06 said:

I recently graduated nursing school with my BSN and will begin working in the NICU shortly! I am beyond excited, as this has been my dream specialty for years and arguably one of the influences behind why I went to nursing school in the first place.

That being said, I would really love to hear some advice from nurses in this field regarding things I might expect to experience/to be prepared for. Best things to keep on hand, resources/books to have... really just any of your best tips for a new grad nurse starting out in the NICU!

Thank you ?

Congrats on getting your dream job!! I'm actively searching for a new grad job and would preferably want NICU because its also my dream specialty. Any tips you have that you think can help would be greatly appreciated!

NICURNSF · Oct 30, 2020

I had all sorts of NICU books. Really you don't need them. You will learn the vast majority of what you need to know from experience. Just be eager to learn, but not overly eager, ask questions, don't be afraid to say you don't know something, and be open to take every opportunity that comes your way. Really get to know and invest in your relationships with your co-workers because they will be your teachers for the first 5 years of your career and really for the rest of your career. Get good sleep, develop good habits, and you will do just fine!

ss21 · Jan 12, 2021

I found this super helpful. I'll look into some of those books! Thanks

LoveJRenee, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2021

On 10/30/2020 at 6:29 PM, NICURNSF said:

I had all sorts of NICU books. Really you don't need them. You will learn the vast majority of what you need to know from experience. Just be eager to learn, but not overly eager, ask questions, don't be afraid to say you don't know something, and be open to take every opportunity that comes your way. Really get to know and invest in your relationships with your co-workers because they will be your teachers for the first 5 years of your career and really for the rest of your career. Get good sleep, develop good habits, and you will do just fine!

This is actually really good advice, as I have found that the NICU team environment is different than other floors and genuinely getting to know you coworkers is very important as you will lean on them and they will support you and they expect the same from you. I am a new grad and have never previously in my career been apart of such a dynamic team and it feels good to have people I can trust and learn from in a safe environment