new here-from adults to NICU

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Well, I lied :) ....I'm really not new here. I actually posted here many months ago when I was playing around with the idea of transferring to the NICU. I have been in adult nursing for about 6.5 years. My dd was a 26 wkr-580g- that spent 3 months in the hospital I work at. I am delighted to say she is a normal 2.5 year old that amazes me and makes me thankful everyday. (Only receives some OT for mild dyspraxia--but is smart as a whip!!) I had been feeling this "calling" for the past year or so to work in the NICU and I finally got the nerve up to put adult care away and take a position in the NICU. All my friends thought I was crazy--but I just felt in my heart it was where I was meant to be. I started on Tues night of this week. First night I observed, and the 2nd night--last night- I took the 2 babies we had and did complete care for them! We (preceptor and I) had 2 intermediate babies on isolation,nasal cannula,og feeds,HAL/lipids, and abx--so not a bad assignment. I was still overwhelmed and got a bit frustrated at times. I think I was being hard on myself. I've always been very organized with my nursing care and charting and have been able to think steps ahead. But last night I felt like I was playing "catch up". I can't stand that!! I didn't expect to be doing complete care on 2 babies on the 2nd night. But maybe jumping in soon is the best way for an experienced (non neonatal)RN to learn. I mean I have the core nursing skills and knowledge that new grads don't have. Any of this making sense? any suggestions out there for me?

P.S. I'd like to purchase a good neonatal nursing book--any suggestions?

Renee

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Specializes in NICU.
Well, I lied :) ....I'm really not new here. I actually posted here many months ago when I was playing around with the idea of transferring to the NICU. I have been in adult nursing for about 6.5 years. My dd was a 26 wkr-580g- that spent 3 months in the hospital I work at. I am delighted to say she is a normal 2.5 year old that amazes me and makes me thankful everyday. (Only receives some OT for mild dyspraxia--but is smart as a whip!!) I had been feeling this "calling" for the past year or so to work in the NICU and I finally got the nerve up to put adult care away and take a position in the NICU. All my friends thought I was crazy--but I just felt in my heart it was where I was meant to be. I started on Tues night of this week. First night I observed, and the 2nd night--last night- I took the 2 babies we had and did complete care for them! We (preceptor and I) had 2 intermediate babies on isolation,nasal cannula,og feeds,HAL/lipids, and abx--so not a bad assignment. I was still overwhelmed and got a bit frustrated at times. I think I was being hard on myself. I've always been very organized with my nursing care and charting and have been able to think steps ahead. But last night I felt like I was playing "catch up". I can't stand that!! I didn't expect to be doing complete care on 2 babies on the 2nd night. But maybe jumping in soon is the best way for an experienced (non neonatal)RN to learn. I mean I have the core nursing skills and knowledge that new grads don't have. Any of this making sense? any suggestions out there for me?

P.S. I'd like to purchase a good neonatal nursing book--any suggestions?

Renee

Congratulations on a BIG move!! Don't be hard on yourself, trying anything new takes a while and most of what we do in NICU we never did in Nursing school! Give yourself some time to get acclimated to such teeny tiny equipment and whole new world! :) YOu are going to do great!!!

P.S. where in NC are you? Relocating to Charlotte in about 6 -8months.............

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Thank you Kathy for your kind words. I am in Greenville, NC at Pitt County Memorial Hospital--level III NICU.

Renee

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