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Discussion

post-discharge visiting

I was curious to know what NICU nurses think about visiting and even babysitting your NICU graduates. I have heard of some nurses who will continue their relationships with babies and parents outside of the hospital even though it not encouraged by NICU management. I thought it kind of blurs the line of professionalism, even though I think its great that parents really like and trust their nurses to do that. I don't see any problem with knowing how the babies are doing at home through pictures and mail, or when the parents bring their nicu graduates back for a nicu visit. I'm just not sure about actually visiting them elsewhere and even babysitting.

So what do you all think and does your hospitals have policies on the matter? :)

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  • Experts

We don't have a policy about it.... My sister (also a NICU nurse) babysits one of her old primaries occasionally. The parents just needed to get out once in a while, and she offered. She took care of him in the NICU for months, and developed a really close relationship with them. I think that it's ok as long as you A: have liability insurance, and B: have the presence of mind to set guidelines for yourself.

We don't have a policy either. I personally don't babysit for any kids that I took care of in the NICU, but I know others who do. I keep in touch with a few families, mostly via e-mail.

Steve, that's pretty neat that both you and your sister are NICU nurses!

  • Experts

Yeah.... I convinced her to shadow me for a night shift while she was in NS. She brought 2 friends with her. After that, she never wanted to do adults again. She came to work in my unit, and we worked together for a year before I moved back up north. She took my old permanent charge/resource position. Following in my 'ol footsteps.

Our legal department advises against it. You still have a professional relationship with that kid, esp if they are on a monitor, etc and you could be held liable if something happens. Even if you think that they are your good friends and would never go after you for something, you just never know, esp if they feel that you could have prevented something or missed something that they notice later.

I leave my NICU kids at work whenever I go home. I have my own family to look after. Not to say that whenever I see them in the community I don't recognize them. It's just that's a line I have chosen not to cross.

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