NICU Parent- nursing student here

[Lurdes777]

Hello ALL NICU nurses. I had my life changing experience in the NICU in the beginning of this year, with my daughter born at 35 weeks with water in her lungs. I spent 10 grueling days in the NICU, but this experience has changed me forever. Seeing NICU nurses taking such an excellent care for their little patients and deal with paranoid crazy parents, made me want to become one of them.

Having said that, I decided to change my career (at 37 years of age) and went back to school to become an RN. I want to work in the NICU. I have a few questions, but I will start with these:

- any of you NICU nurses had to experience NICU with your own children?

- Did that change your work attitude or better understanding while dealing with parents?

- What do I need to do to up my chances to get into NICU as a new grad? Additional certifications? Attitude while interviewing? Something that will stand my resume out of the pool?

[jodieemily24]

Iv just got a job in the UK on nicu I haven't started yet but have no experience in nicu or extra certificates. Ive had my two cousins both in nicu and seeing my aunties kangaroo care for the first time was wonderful! For my interview I made sure I knew about current issues or policies. I'd advise going on the hospitals website and having a read about their goals and mission statement and work them into your answers. The Trust I've applied for are using an acronym called PROUD so I learnt what it stood for and linked that in with my answers! I spoke a lot about compassionate person centred care which is a big thing in the UK! Also if uv had any critical care experience in your training mention that, I'm from a respiratory background so mentioned my knowledge and understanding of NIV such as cpap and bipap as they use a form of cpap in nicu! Just be yourself don't be afraid to big yourself up as long as it's honest and not too over the top! Hope this helps :)

[rnkaytee]

I had a 28 weaker and a 35 weeker after being a NICU nurse for 9 years. It is helpful because you understand some of what the parents are going through but I make sure I don't "overstep" either - I rarely share my personal story outright.