Normal new grad feelings or not feeling NICU?

[Anonymous44]

Hi I am a new grad who landed her dream position in a level IV NICU. I had been a volunteer cuddler, and a tech on a busy med surg floor all through nursing school. I had a bunch of great job offers, the one that I accepted in NICU and two in adult ICUs and I really struggled making a decision because I felt passionate about both specialities. I recently passed the NCLEX and I am finding myself bored on orientation. We do level 1-2 training for a year and then we are going to learn 3-4. There is obviously a lot to learn and it is a whole other population and I am probably offending people by saying I am bored but it's true and I worked on a dumpster fire of a unit as a tech and got used to that pace. I don't like PO feeding and I didn't picture myself feeding 12 bottles every shift and I'm not even sure I like higher acuity babies. I cant tell if I am struggling to adjust to a post grad lifestyle (going from working, volunteering, being in nursing school and being in a sorority to just working), the current pandemic causing me to only leave my house to go to work, if I am bored in the NICU or if its all of the above. I want to do travel nursing ASAP like right now if I could, but I know I need 2 years experience so I don't want to waste any time because whatever I work for 2 years in I will do traveling. Part of it is probably because it's such a massive unit and we staff multiple areas and it's hard to get to know anyone so I haven't made many friends yet. At the same time, I am not sure I am ready to give up baby snuggles when I have extra time.

I guess what I'm asking is, is there anyone out there that didn't immediately love the pace of NICU but grew to love it?

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

On 1/15/2021 at 4:49 PM, Anonymous44 said:

my scale for high acuity was a lot lower LOL... I didn't have an admission or go on deliveries until my last week of orientation. I had one NAS baby in 4 months, and only 2 babies with IVs. I literally just had feeder growers in orientation with a couple bubble CPAPers (despite me advocating for myself)

LOL. My mindset is a Level IV NICU. NAS, BCPAP, High Flow NC, Peripheral IV are all low acuity in a Level III/IV, but those are high acuity in a Level I/II. 

[moongoddess9301, BSN]

I've been in level IV for about 5 years. Everywhere I've oriented, we did level 2 orientation for 6 weeks, then high acuity orientation for 12 weeks. The orientee assignment takes the sickest babies, no exceptions. I think if that's were your case, you'd be less bored. A childrens hospital NICU might also give you more of the activity you crave. But, in general, NICU will rarely ever be as fast paced as an adult ICU. If you want action and pace, consider reaching out to the adult ICUs. Ask if you can pick up extra shifts in the NICU to help out and fulfill your cuddle cravings or if you can remain as a cuddler.