New grad nurse hired as a nicu nurse! Advice/tips?

[newgradnicunurse]

Hi everyone, this is my first post!

I just accepted a new grad NICU position at a level 4 nicu and I am so excited. I am very nervous though as I've had a couple of NICU clinical (2-3) and shadowed some, but that's it. My capstone was supposed to be NICU but it got messed up and now it isn't. I am so nervous about not knowing enough.

So any tips or advice you could give me? I start in June.

[nicu1991]

I would find or check out copies of Merenstein & Gardner’s Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care, 9th Edition, Core Curriculum for Maternal-Newborn Nursing, 6th Edition, Gomella's Neonatology, Eighth Edition to read & keep on hand. Talk to your educator about buddying up with a preceptor or a friend that you can feel close to in the NICU. Sometimes it doesn’t turn out to be the person picked for you or the person you hoped it would be but don’t be discouraged. Find your own person. Take opportunities to watch procedures if you have downtime and if it’s ok with your preceptor and who you’re watching. Also same with helping with admissions or babies that are getting sick and the nurse may need help. Offer to help with procedures at your ability. Always ask questions. Always offer to help. Stay off the cell phone and find things to learn ? Offer to feed a baby for someone that’s drowning. Ask OT/PT & experienced nurses tricks on feeding babies. Everyone was new once. Keep breathing. They are fortunate to have you.