do people say this to you?

Specialties NICU

Published

Do you find when people find out what you do they say things like "How can you do that?" or "I could never work in the NICU it would be too sad."

I'm a nursing student, leaning towards NICU, and when we inevitably get into discussion about "what we want to be when we grow up" and I say NICU, I hear varied comments, some of which I don't know exactly how to respond to. I get the vibe that some folks think if you desire a career with neonates who might not survive, that you must be cold, callus, unfeeling or all three, otherwise you wouldn't expose yourself to this possible pain. Of course we know it's just the opposite, but....

Do you hear this? Do you just take it as a compliment? How do you respond?

Specializes in Peds, 1yr.; NICU, 15 yrs..
Yes, people do ask that question, and in a way, I'm happy they do.

Just as they can't imagine caring for tiny, sick infants, I can't imagine working ER or psych, or adult med-surg. This is a great opportunity to point out the diversity in nursing, and mention how grateful you are that there are nurses who are gifted and talented in the areas of care that likewise don't interest you.

Good luck!

Me too. That's the same thing I say.

I am always told by someone that they couldn't work in NICU. I always tell them that I love it, and most of our babies do well.

Specializes in Peds, 1yr.; NICU, 15 yrs..
Or I just say "different strokes for different folks". I know people who just cannot deal with the pediatric population but love working with adults. I'm the opposite. It's just different people's interests.

Don't you also like it when you change a baby's diaper, you can always coo and say "oooooooo...something smells stinky"? And sometimes when you say that to older infants or toddlers, they'll giggle at you. However there is no way you could say that to an adult or geriatric patient.

That sums it up very nicely. I won't do adults for that reason, and for the fact that I'm 5'2, and don't want to have to lift someone who is my size or bigger. Make that over 15 pounds. LOL

That sums it up very nicely. I won't do adults for that reason, and for the fact that I'm 5'2, and don't want to have to lift someone who is my size or bigger. Make that over 15 pounds. LOL

I'm even smaller than you. I'm 5'0.

For a little while now I've had the inclination to work in NICU. Originally I wanted to do L&D (I've worked as a doula for the last 8 years) or mother-baby, but over the last several months I've given serious thought about working NICU.

I've told people that's what I'd like to do, but I haven't received any negative responses yet. When I get to NICU, that might likely change. I believe my response would be on the line of "Yes, I know it's tough and it can be sad but I believe it's been what I've been called to do. Like some nurses just out of school want to work in the burn unit. That is something I could never do and the nurses who work in there are really something special (we're all special, but... :)) because that's something that I couldn't do."

We all have our areas of expertise and callings which makes one nurse a better ED nurse, and another an awesome NICU nurse, as well as a wonderful burn unit nurse.

I would feel badly if one saw me as being cold and callous by wanting to work NICU. This is the place where I'm drawn to... this I can't help and I wouldn't want to change. Most people see me as compassionate, I hope they wouldn't change their minds about the person I am because I'm drawn to NICU work.

I'll stop rambliing, but you all get my idea. :)

Specializes in ER/Trauma.

I work in a NICU rite now and I hear that all the time... I just try to explain to people that there are WAY more happy stories than sad stories... u do lose a few of course, but the majority of them go home, and live generally normal lives... Most people just dont understand that NICU isnt as bad as the typical ICU adult patient.. They tend to think that the NICU babies have some of the same outcomes of adult ICU patients, and thats just not true... try to enlighten them!!!

I just tell em about my own 680 gram and 970 gram preemies, and how great they are doing now. I have a lot to give back in the NICU - both as a nurse and a parent who can relate. If it weren't for NICU nurses, I would have never been drawn to nursing.

~J

I just say that 'babies make great patients, actually. They don't complain much and they don't hurt your back when you lift them.' That usually gets a chuckle & a nod and moves the conversation on to something else.

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