First Day: Any tips?

Specialties NICU

Published

Hi everyone! This week I will be starting my senior preceptorship in the NICU. I am sooo excited about getting into the NICU (only 3 spots out of 200), but I am a little nervous because it is so different than all of the rotations I have done. I was just wondering if anyone has any tips? I was thinking about making some index cards with basic info to keep in my pockets, but what should I include on them? I know I won't be expected to know too much since I have never been in the NICU, but I want to know some of the basics. Any tips or advice?

Thank you :)

unikuelady, RN

141 Posts

The minimum basics are: normal vital sign ranges, normal blood sugar ranges and the less you handle a micro-preemie / sick kid the better. keep your voice low, keep your eyes and ears open. Ask questions and find out the diagnosis of your patient then read up on it so you can understand the care being given and why. Always keep this in the back of your mind: how is this intervention going to benefit my patient? Generally if it doesn't benefit the patient-then don't do it. Always cluster care if you can. I hope this helps:flowersfo

cherokeesummer

739 Posts

Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

Thank you for asking this question! I am also getting ready to start my senior preceptorship and was lucky enough and blessed to get the special care nursery. I want to be as prepared as possible and am going to shadow next week just to get a heads up. Luckily they encourage that (not a school related thing, I'm just asking to do it). I am nervous but excited and really want to work with the babies. I know it will be hard work but I think its worth it and is something I really want to do. But like you I want to be as prepared as possible.

The only experience I've had there is one day of clinical shadowing last semester and of course my own experience when my son was born and had low blood sugar and was there overnight for monitoring until his blood sugar stabilized.

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