NICU

I'm pasting what I wrote in another thread because I don't like typing that much :

I didn't start as a new grad in the NICU (I worked a year in pediatric medsurg and then came to the NICU 3+ years ago) so I can't quite relate to where you are now. However, I do precept new grads now, so here's my advice:

1) Make sure you grasp concepts about basic equipment and procedures (IVs, central lines, ventilators, art lines, heelsticks). Having a good grasp on the fundamentals will help with putting everything together when you are on your own.

2) Learn your gestational ages! A 24-weeker is different than a 28-weeker who is different from a 33-weeker.

3) Never trust a 34 or 35-weeker! They're big enough usually to appear trustworthy but they are still premature.

4) Watch your baby's bellies! Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a nasty infection so the sooner you can catch it and treat it, the better.

5) Never pass up a learning opportunity, even when it isn't your patient. Watch intubations (volunteer to pull up RSI meds if you can), help with chest tube insertions, go to deliveries, help secure umbilical lines, etc. See if you can follow the doctor's rounds or the charge nurse(s) for part of a day on orientation.

6) If you don't feel that you are ready to come off of orientation when your original time ends, ask for a short extension. They just invested thousands of dollars in training you so they won't fire you for asking for a couple extra days and they would prefer you to be safe to work on your own.

As for books, I highly recommendCore Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. I found a copy used on Amazon for about $20. Good luck! The NICU is an amazing place to work. It can be sad on occasion but there are many great outcomes that you get to be a part of. I hope you love it!

My first nursing job as a new grad was a NICU position. I was willing to move anywhere to get into a NICU position. I went on to indeed.com and searched "New grad RN NICU" and "New Grad residency NICU". I applied to any NICU position that did not require experience. I applied to 50-100 positions. Look at Children's hospitals and large NICUs. They tend to be most likely to hire new grads because they have formal training programs for new grads and experienced adult nurses without NICU experience (it is a whole different world from adult nursing). Many of our new hires are new grads (although most have had an externship in NICU). I work at a large Level IV NICU at children's hospital.