afcat84

No, I don't have a CNA certificate to work as a NICU assistant. But I'm in England at the moment so I'm not sure what US standards are. You don't do anything with the babies as a NICU assistant. Basically my job entails cleaing equipment (drip stands, iv pumps, incubators etc), stocking nursing trolleys, stocking store cupboards, running errands, answering phones, doing baby laundry, and doing coffee rounds for the nursing staff. Pretty general stuff but you do get to know the nurses and be around and see the babies and how the unit works. It's great to see if that's really the field you want to go into to. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Hello all, I'm not a nurse, I'm not even in school at the moment, but I'm dying to be! I am currently working as a NICU assistant at a hospital in England. I'm living here for the next year and 1/2 (my husband is military), and I have a few questions about getting into the Neonatal field. Here is what is on my mind, I hope someone can give me some advice. I have about 3 to 4 semesters worth of college under my belt. General classes mostly, but some LPN classes from a technical college. I am wanting to get back into school, and finish my BSN, RN degree. I specifically want to work in the NICU. 1. I was going to wait until fall semester 2007 to start back up with my school in the United States, and just go back full time, but I don't think I can wait that long. Is there any type of program online etc that I can start taking some classes now? I only want to take classes if they will help later count towards my nursing degree. I'm desperate to get back in school and while I want to be in the classroom setting any school would help right now. I don't think it would be worth it to start a school here in England as we won't be here long enough for me to finish, and US has different nursing policies. 2. I work in the NICU as mentioned earlier and I love the enviornment and seeing how the nurses work. What do NICU nurses in the US do? What are some general things you do in the day as a NICU nurse? As far as I know there are no RTs in our unit. I think the nurses/doctors handle it all. 3. Most of our nurses do 12.5 hour shifts (7:30-8). Is this the general shift for NICU nurses? Do you have to do nights? I think mostly our nurses do 13 shifts a month, 7 days, and 6 nights. Is this the same in the US? Also what is the average pay in your NICU unit? 4. Lastly, after you finish your RN degree, how do people get into the NICU? Is there extra classes to take? Do you do on job training under a senior nurse? I had been thinking about this field for a few years now and since I got my job working in the NICU, I know this is where I want to be. I'm just not sure how to get there. Thanks for reading my post. You nurses do great work. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me. Catherine