New to special care

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

I am the happiest labor and delivery failure on the planet. I lasted three whole weeks before talking to my boss and I'm so grateful she allowed me to transition to special care. I've been orienting for a week and I absolutely love it. I worked in a NICU/PICU stepdown a few years ago and loved it but didn't make enough money to stay and it was really far from my house. I am sooo happy to be in this unit. I love feeding preemies, I love watching babies learn how to thrive, and I even love working with the NAS population. We get lots of tastes of critical care and have a great relationship with our level III parent hospital. So excited to be able to post here, and it feels surreal to wake up every day looking forward to work!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Congratulations! If you like working with the NAS population, then you are definitely where you are meant to be. Over the years I have found myself growing quite comfortable with these guys too. It's not for everyone, but then, neither is taking the 23-week micros. That is not for me.

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Specializes in NICU.

I absolutely know how you feel. I wake every day (well night b/c I work nights) so excited to go to work. I know I'm new, but I love going to work and taking care of these helpless babies, even the NAS babies who didn't ask to be hooked on drugs when born. No one else around me understands how I feel. I get on here often, just hoping there's a thread I can write in because I know I sound crazy just saying "hey everyone, I feel so extremely blessed and happy going to work each day." People shouldn't be paid to do the work we do. Sure, it's work, its hard, it's sad at times, and it's constant, but it's wonderful at the same time. Better than anything I could ever have imagined when I started nursing school. I thought I was the only weird freak who loved me job like this. So glad I"m not alone.

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Specializes in hospice.

What a refreshing thread. :up:

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

Yes!!! My family has commented on he change they've seen in me and how happy I am. It's so awesome to watch them grow and I love being able to find something that can comfort them. We don't have child life so I've been looking into things I can do for the babies and the parents. I'm going to try to get weekly footprints to turn into a book for the parents with an update of the major things their baby accomplished that week. I can't wait for my shift tomorrow!

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Specializes in ICU.
People shouldn't be paid to do the work we do.

Aghhhhh!!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

No, we definitely should be paid. We spent tens of thousands of dollars to fulfill this dream and we work hard for our money. We are super lucky to work in an area that fills our hearts and makes the day fly though!

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Specializes in L&D.

Congrats! I know you didn't work L&D long, but just curious how you'd compare it to NICU and why you love NICU more.

I've only ever worked L&D but have become burnt out on it and I think I'd love NICU so much more.

I hope it's not just a grass is always greener scenario.

I'm interviewing for a NICU job so fingers crossed!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

I worked in the ER before this and all the things I didn't like about the ER are the things I didn't like about L&D. I had some scary experiences and I did not like the limited control. I was also not a fan of most of the OBs. I absolutely love special care. I love the team, the relationships, watching babies lean how to grow and thrive. Someday I think I'd like to move on to a Level III, but for now I'm really happy. Good luck, I hope the NICU is all you ever hoped for!!!

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