NICU info

[Crouton2004]

I am trying to figure out when this would be covered in school. Do you think it will be in Peds or in OB? The reason I am asking is I have to fill out my role transition paperwork by the end of September and I have no real idea of what I want to do. I am in an accelerated program and just finished what would traditionally be sophomore year. I originally came into school thinking I wanted L&D or Mother/Baby or NICU.

After my first clinical rotation in Med Surg my instructor mentioned by going into L&D I would be limiting myself by only working with women. So I don't know if I should trust my gut - which I have had no exposure to - or try to get into something a little less focused.

I am 33 and will be 34 by the time I graduate so I feel like I don't have a lot of time to explore. Thoughts??

[Jolie, BSN]

I hope that I don't sound "flip" because it is obvious that this question is important to you.

But, your instructor's comment, "by going into L&D I would be limiting myself by only working with women." is without a doubt one of the dumbest things I have ever heard.

In my opinion, L&D nurses are among the most well-rounded. They care for patients with a variety of medical and surgical needs, rely on strong assessment skills, plan and implement interventions that affect 2 patients, not one.

They may be required to be certified in fetal monitoring, neonatal resuscitation and ACLS.

On any given day, they may care for high-risk ante-partum patients, laboring women, post-partum moms and infants. They may circulate in the OR and recover a patient in PACU.

They may go from normal labor to a crash C-section in a matter of minutes.

Granted, they don't care for men. I personally don't see a problem in that. I am quite sure that a nurse with this wide of a knowledge base and experience can figure out how to care for a man on a med-surg unit.

Off my soapbox now :)

[Crouton2004]

Jolie - Thanks so much for the quick reply. I kind of thought it was silly too and since I have been seriously considering a NP in Women's Health or Neonates I think I will stick with my gut.

Now on to the more important question.....how can I chose? Where should I start looking for info, etc. I don't take OB till the spring.

[Jolie, BSN]

Consider working as a student extern or PCA on a mother-baby unit, if possible.

Do a great job in your OB rotation.

Try to arrange shadow experiences, if possible.

As far as employment goes, the sheer numbers support looking for a NICU job. Most hospitals with high-risk OB services have far more NICU beds than L&D or mother-baby, so finding a NICU job as a new grad will probably be easier than the other 2 units. Also, most NICUs are used to hiring and orienting new grads. Many NICU managers actually prefer new grads, as they are easier to orient. (It can be difficult to "unlearn" principles of adult care that don't apply to neonates.)

So seek a hospital with a large, tertiary care NICU that offers a lengthy new grad orientation. Interview with all 3 units, if possible. But NICU will probably be your best bet to start.

Good luck!

[amyb2684]

I totally agree with Jolie (very well said); however, the rebuttle could be that you are generally going to have the same diagnosis with each patient. You will be dealing with a general list of chief complaints from your patients as well. I am in no way saying that anything exciting will never happen. I am only saying that every pt will be hospitalized for the same reason 'they are in labor'. Each will have something special about them, but the technology we have now has made L&D pretty routine. I am in the same position as you because I was wanting to work there as well until I spoke with some other students. They pointed out all of those negatives to me. Here's my favorite though, "Do you seriously want to work with women in labor; Do you know how irratable they are??" Oh yeah here's one more, "Do you want to look at lady partss all day and what happens to them when a baby comes out". I just thought of what somebody else pointed out to me. She said she couldnt do it because of the mothers that come in there that dont even want the babies or they have been really unhealthy (drugs, alcohol) or even just the babies that were born with problems. I dont know though, I want to help the babies.