Poll: What do you love about the NICU?

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I'm a nursing student with not too much farther to go. (YEAH!). I'm giving serious thought to starting in the NICU post-graduation. From what I have observed, it just seems to be the right fit for me. We get a 6 week preceptor-ship right before we graduate, so I'm hoping I'll be fortunate enough to get one of the limited NICU slots. I was just wondering why all of you love NICU nursing as opposed to general med-surg floors, peds, adult ICUs, ED, etc.... Also, what do you NOT like about the NICU? I just want to make sure I'm making the right decision here. TIA!

I am so glad I found this thread. I'm seriously thinking about becoming a nurse, and the only area that really appeals to me is the NICU. After reading what you all have to say about your work and experiences, and love for what you do, I am convinced that this is the field I want to go into. I am planning on going back to school to earn my MSN, specializing in neonatal care, and am looking forward to speaking the same words I have just read. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts... it's very motivational and inspiring! I am definitely excited!

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ALL WELL SAID ARTICLES!!!!

I think NICU is going to give a new meaning to my life; right now student nurse..........can't wait work in NICU!!!

Adieu,

Sandhya

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I know this is what I want I have for years. I am now going to do something about it and all the posts regarding the nicu just made me that much more sure. Thanks

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i am a nicu nurse of over 20 years. i went straight from nursing school to nicu. lol, my duaghter did the same thing. she has been doing nicu for two years and cannot imagine doing any other type of hospital type nursing. it has been good to both of us. :nurse:

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I'm only taking my prerequisites for nursing school at the moment, but I know that the NICU is where I want to be. It's the reason I'm getting my degree.

In March 2004, I gave birth to my son, Aaron Joseph, at 24 weeks. He weighed 1 lb, 11 oz, and was 13" long. He only lived for three days and died of Grade IV IVH. I'll never forget any of it, but particularly not his last day. We knew when the neonatologist came into my room that the news was not good. When we went into the NICU, you could see how swollen his head was from across the room. While we were standing beside his isolette, within a span of only 10 minutes, he had 4 seizures. One of the hardest things was to have to explain it to our then 6 year old daughter. To say the whole experience was difficult doesn't even begin to cover it. I'll always love and miss him.

I became pregnant very quickly, despite being on the pill and certainly not being ready. I gave birth to Cameron Douglas at 28 weeks on February 5, 2005, after spending more than a month in the hospital and after exhaustive efforts to delay his birth. He was 1355 grams, just barely shy of 3 lbs, and was 15" long. He came home on April 9, at 5 lbs, 13 oz, and is now a very chubby 11 lbs, 8 oz. Developmentally, he's doing very well. I am incredibly blessed!

I can't imagine being anywhere else other than the NICU. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel that is where I'm meant to be. I know it won't be easy, but nothing worth anything in life is. ;)

Tiffany

I'm so sorry about your loss. I know what you mean about being meant to do this. I have a daughter that was born in April that spent time in the NICU after she was born, she had two strokes during the delivery and kept having seizures afterward. She is doing quite well now, she'll be 6 months soon, and she is trying to learn to sit up now. But the care that the NICU nurses gave my baby, that I saw day after day was incredible. They treated her and loved her as if she was their own baby. I had always wanted to be a nurse, but after this happened I felt this was where I belong. I have never seen such beautifully kind and loving people as the nurses at Childrens Hospital in San Diego. (If any of you come on to this site.) Thank you! You inspire people to do great things because you are all great people!!! :heartbeat

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I have done postpartum/well newborn nursery for 2 years and have just started a new job in a level II nursery. It is my first week and I already know that I made the right choice. I love the babies and there is so much to learn. Listening to the neonatalogists round in the morning is fascinating. At times it can get busy, but it is a controlled setting, everything/everyone is right there for you. I was really nervous going into this because I really don't like vents, chest tubes, etc...but caring for these little babies is so much different than caring for an adult on a med/surg floor. I think it will take a while for me to feel confident but I think I will like he high-risk care in a year or so. So I guess I can say I'm happy with my decision.

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jax, sounds like a good fit for you.

i sometimes used to complain about "having to go to work". my son looked at me and said, "why mom, how many people get to go to work and chill with the babies". "you should feel lucky".

ever since then, when i get tired or get picky about things, or feel like it is a grind, i put a smile on my face and remember what my son said to me. it always makes me chuckle and feel grateful i am a nicu nurse.

i usually work level 3, but sometimes, it can be relaxing to just go care for those little grower feeders and hold them and help parents learn to take care of them.

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Hi to all ,

Jarde8 from Australia here , first post! Its 4am and am on nightshift in NICU level 3. Great to see the general love of this type of nursing travels worldwide!! The reason I love this nursing is because of experiences like this example: This is my second night , the first night at work i looked after a 25/40 full vent, drains and lines everywhere quite unstable. This was a desperately wanted child by a first time mother with cancer. That night she kept a bed side vigil. Tonight I am looking after the same bub , stabilised thru the day and by night was able to give the long awaited first cuddle between mum and her gorgeous son!! Obviously still not out of the woods but thats what it all about. No matter what the outcome being part of a time that brings parents closer to their children and you help facilitate that bond is breathtaking!

Ok back to work!! Only 3 hours to go!!!!

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Specializes in NICU.
No matter what the outcome being part of a time that brings parents closer to their children and you help facilitate that bond is breathtaking!

That's exactly it. Sometimes just being a part of these families' lives can be such an honor. Like that child you're speaking of - no matter what his outcome is, that mother will always remember that you were the first one that handed her baby to her, just as you'll never forget the joy in her face as she held him. It can be emotionally draining sometimes, but those good memories are what makes this job so special. Thinking back on your career, you remember so many families, and knowing that you had such a special role in their lives during that heartbreaking time...breathtaking really is a good word for it.

Taking care of someone's sick child is such an awesome responsibility, isn't it? Just mindblowing.

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I am a new grad. and just joined NICU. My orientation is great and I simply love the idea of being able to work in NICU. Just the idea of not working in Med. Surg. is wonderful, I hate Med. Surg. Babies in NICU are fascinating, even though they are so tiny and sick, yet they are perfect. I know I made the right decision to jump into a specialty right away instead of the stereotype quote: "you have to work in Med. Surg. for one year before you can go anywhere.

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I am a new grad. and just joined NICU. My orientation is great and I simply love the idea of being able to work in NICU. Just the idea of not working in Med. Surg. is wonderful, I hate Med. Surg. Babies in NICU are fascinating, even though they are so tiny and sick, yet they are perfect. I know I made the right decision to jump into a specialty right away instead of the stereotype quote: "you have to work in Med. Surg. for one year before you can go anywhere.
. I am in the best hospital on the East Coast (U.S.) we are a level 4 and we have 2 helicopters that fly patients from all over. I will be working night shifts after my 16 week orientation and training, I have 2 days of class and 2 days of 12 hour shift. Can't wait to have my first patient on my own. NICU nurses, keep up the good job, you are the best.
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I have to say that reading all of your posts have truely touched my heart. I am not in the NICU yet and have not got to have all of the wonderful experiences that all of you have had. I am a nursing student and always knew that I wanted to become a nurse from the time I was really little. I just recently got really interested in working in the NICU and know that that is definately what I want to do. I remember telling my mom what I wanted to do and she just looked at me and said that she could never do that. That she was way too emotional to care for sick babies, that it would be too depressing. I must say that I agree with her, but knowing that I have the ability to help a sick baby, to help them grow from a delicate little creature to going home with their parents makes me so unbelievably happy. I admire each and everyone of you!! Kymberlee

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