New to NICU......and a little nervous!

[Good_Queen_Bess]

I am due to rotate to NICU at the end of November. I have worked in neurosciences for 4 1/2 years since qualifying, I had 18 months NHDU experience approx 2 1/2 years ago until I went to work on neurology for a while. I have now been back on NHDU for the last 4 months or so "helping out" as they were short-staffed, and have really enjoyed my experience again and felt "back home" and settled. However, now that NHDU are fully staffed again (blimey), I am no longer needed. I didn't want to go back out on the ward, and NICU was advertising for nurses, so I am going there instead!

I am really looking forward to it, but I am nervous! Obviously, I often interact with NICU staff anyway, ie when patients come to NHDU, vice versa and have been there last week to sort out my off-duty and have had a general chit-chat with people there. One of the nurses there is lending me a book, which is really good of her, but I'd really like some tips or suggestions or any general advice really.

Thanks v much.

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

I really think you will enjoy it. Don't get flummoxed most things there come down to assessment. Good luck and just pop in and ask anything you like - if we don't know we will try and find out!

[Good_Queen_Bess]

Cheers chuck!

[Good_Queen_Bess]

Well at the time of this posting, I've been on the unit now for nearly 6 weeks. I have been supernumery all this time and go into the numbers next week. So far, I have really loved working there. Yes, there have been times when I have been a little overwhelmed by things, but mostly I have coped with it. I thought I wouldn't know a thing, but as I've worked on NHDU, this has helped a great deal. The support I (and everyone) gets is brilliant and the unit offers it's own support groups too. There are many sad times as obviously, due to the nature of neuro, there are a lot of deaths. But most of the work is so interesting and varied. Infact, I like it so much, that you couldn't drag me away from it to go back and work on NHDU or the ward!

Anyway, that's just my little waffle for the day! Thanks for sharing.

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

I am glad you are enjoying it!!! Once you get over the initial scare you will find it very very rewarding - even the sad times with brain dead patients you will find it rewarding to know that you are able to help, even in a small way those who are going through such powerful greif.