NICU parent as a NICU nurse good or bad?

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As NICU nurses do you think there is a benefit to a new nurse in the NICU being a former NICU parent? Or do you think there is a downfall of sorts?

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Specializes in Level III NICU.

I think it would be beneficial as far as relating to parents and knowing the "other side," but NICU is not for everyone regardless of their background. If it is what you want to do, go for it!

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Specializes in NICU, CVICU.

I wasn't a NICU parent, but a NICU sister. When I was 18, my father and step mother had my baby brother who spent his entire 9-month life in the NICU in Dallas. I think this helped me with understanding the families' side of life in the NICU, a perspective that can only be gained by being on the other side of the isolette.

Go for it!

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Specializes in midwifery, NICU.

On the whole, I think it would be a good thing. What you would have to be careful of, is relating everything back to your own experiences, and as human beings, thats a hard thing not to do.

But, that aside, I see no reason why you should not go for NICU nursing, if thats what you are really interested in. Best of luck to you!!

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I am a new grad in the NICU and I was a NICU mom....it has been beneficial because I completely understand the feeling of feeling " not in control".....however I have had very few babies that met my sons criteria and it is VERY important to remember that every parents experience is individual and you can't compare so it's still very new as to all the situations. I am VERY understanding when it comes to allowing the parents to be as involved as possible. I love my job and I know I am where I belong. I can now see the "other side". If its what you want to do....go for it!

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JENJ1928 IM IN THE SAME SITUATION. I HAD A BABY IN THE NICU. UNFORTUNEATLY SHE PASSED AWAY. BUT HER PASSING MOTIVATED ME TO BECOME A NURSE IN THE NICU.RIGHT NOW IM IN SCHOOL HEADING DOWN THAT ROAD. ALL THE NURSES THEIR TOOK GOOD CARE OF HER. THATS WHY I WOULD WANT TO BE ONE OF THE NURSES THEIR IN A TIME OF NEED FOR A FAMILY. I THINK ITS A GREAT IDEA.:up:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I think it can help/hinder if you are too involved with your own NICU issues. Being a nurse means its not about YOU or YOUR CHILD. It is only human nature to compare. I think it takes an emotionally strong person to be able to separate what happened to you as the NICU parent versus what you hope to accomplish as a NICU nurse.

This goes for any field of nursing where your personal feelings are just so strong that they might overshadow the care you trying to provide.

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I have an 8 month old who was in NICU for 2 months , And While he was there I competly fell in love with the environment. I Already knew that I wanted to be a nurse, but I feel that seeing the NICU nurses doing what they do everyday really showed me where I need to be when I graduate. In no other place have I seen nurses who totally care for a few patients, thier families, and make such a difference in the lives of both. Also the technology that they come up with to help these babies is amazing, and I find myself researching it already. I cannot speak for every situation but I feel for me our situation showed me what I need to do as a nurse.

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Specializes in NICU.

One of our best nurses was a NICU mom. She had been a flight attendant but went to school to become an RN and is AWESOME.

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Specializes in PACU, Case Management.

I'm glad I found this thread! I am going to start nursing school in Fall of '09, and while I didn't have a preemie child; I was one! I figure this can only help in the long run.

I was lucky. A 30 weeker (2lbs, 12oz.), and all I have to show for it now are cruddy eyesight and short stature! I spent 6 weeks in the NICU.

I'm hoping to repay the favor by being the best NICU RN I can be!

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Specializes in ICN.

One of our nurses had a preemie in our unit 36 years ago, before she went to nursing school. I think it gives the nurse a unique perspective as both mom and nurse. She has a wonderful way to relate to the parents.

One of our nurses has a baby in another ICN right now, so I suspect she will have lots to talk about with other mothers when she comes back from maternity leave.

Dawnebeth

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I am a former NICU mom. I keep very good boundaries with my own experiences and my job. It helps me to relate and understand, and because my professional boundaries are well defined, I think it is very beneficial thing. I very much understand what parents are going through and remember the "little things" that maybe not all nurses can relate to. I have told VERY few parents that i've had children in the NICU (yeah two of my babies were micros)...there have only been less than a handful of times that it was appropriate to disclose that information. And when sharing it certainly wasn't "about me"...I kept the conversation where it needed to be.

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