NICU to ER

babynurselsa, RN · Nov 22, 2005

THat is eactly what I did several years ago Steve.

I started fresh out of school in NICU. After about 3 years I decided I needed to get some "big people exp."

Just be sure that you get a good orientation.

A good thing to remember is when you look at a monitor in the ER and it says HR is in the 60's DON'T FREAK OUT!!!!!! big people have heart rates like that and it is ok. j/k that was an endless source of entertainment to my coworkers as a hr of 60 in the NICU was a bad thing.

Good luck.

TZRNER · Nov 22, 2005

Hey All,
I'm an RN currently working in a level III Neonatal ICU. I have done some time as a tech in the ED and ICU, however, I am remotely considering transitioning to the ED. Will I be able to jump in and stay afloat? I'm pretty good at IV's, having put them in preemies, and have ACLS/PALS/NRP, and have done a preceptorship in a level I trauma center. What do you all think? I can do vents, art lines, central line sticks, etc.......

One of nurses left the NICU to ED and at first hated it...swore she was going to transfer back after 6 months....it was a hospital to hospital transfer in network.....She hated the patients could talk.....: ) anyway a year later she loves it and has no plans to change. You'll be fine...and us non NICU nurses in the ED will love asking you to stick our little newborns!!!

BabyRN2Be · Nov 22, 2005

THat is eactly what I did several years ago Steve.
I started fresh out of school in NICU. After about 3 years I decided I needed to get some "big people exp."
Just be sure that you get a good orientation.
A good thing to remember is when you look at a monitor in the ER and it says HR is in the 60's DON'T FREAK OUT!!!!!! big people have heart rates like that and it is ok. j/k that was an endless source of entertainment to my coworkers as a hr of 60 in the NICU was a bad thing.
Good luck.

Also remember to not freaking out about breathing rates either. If someone has a resp of 16 in the ED, that's probably a good thing. I can see how someone who has worked in an area in which a HR of 60 is a bad thing, transitions to someplace where a HR of 60 is not too bad, that might be a little tough. Good luck with whatever you do, Steve.

KatieBell · Nov 22, 2005

I think it should be a ggood transition. I had to learn when I went from ICU to ED that MOST people do not need a monitor, especially if they are a 22 yr old female who is walking with a strong shuffle.

Good Luck and best wishes.

Don't be surprised if you are in a smaller ER setting, if you end up doing a lot of peds based on your background.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Nov 22, 2005

Thanks for the good advice! I still plan on doing some NICU for ever, but I rreally want to keep my adult skills up. SOOO true about the heart rates and RR.....I freak out when my babies brady to 90, let alone 60! I would probably start compressing and drawing up some epi for a sustained HR of 60!