I have been in the NICU for about 1.5 years now and have been conflicted regarding this. I am starting to see a pattern where I work. Majority of the microprems/prems are stable but requires respiratory support, whether it be low flow, high flow, CPAP, NIPPV, HFO or the jet. Some of them get sick and needs antibiotics, some of them have low sugars and needs IV fluids, most of them are working up to full feeds. There are those rare incidences where babies are admitted very sick or gets very sick so they get intubated with high pressures and gets put on a whole load of drips.
I feel like I am at a point where I can take on more challenging assignments... but there’s a voice inside that’s screaming noooooooooooo. I feel like because I am new and young this is my time to dive into the complex assignments for optimal learning (or so people tell me) but at the same time my body is telling me that I really do not need the stress. I’ve had this conversation with a colleague of mine and she said that she doesn’t really care to be the “hero” and “save” the extremely sick babies, she’s happy to take care of the stable cpap ones. Am I a bad nurse if I chose the easier way out?
I know there’s not a right or wrong answer to this. I guess I am just curious as to what you guys out there think.
