EarlyAdditionRN

Just checking in with you to see how the program is going. I am really interested in it. Any updates and information would be appreciated! Thanks!

I am seriously considering this program (Care coordination) Do you still like it? Any additional information you have would be appreciated!

Some of life's greatest lessons are learned from the littlest ones: Lying under radiant heat, hooked to machines, wires, and tubes; fine thin hair covers your small vulnerable body. You struggle for each breath you take. I look at you and marvel at your strength. Strength not measured by physical power but by the power to persevere and overcome daily adversities. You teach me to never take a single breath for granted. You toil and try, struggle and strive and finally triumph over every single milestone we set for you. The NICU expectations are high, and you continue to amaze me. You are constantly working, extremely patient and tolerate to everything we set before you. You teach me that nothing is impossible. As you work so hard to digest your food, gain even an ounce, and hold your temperature all on your own- I see the determination in your eyes and your endurance is inspiring. You teach me that hard work pays off and to never give up on a goal. You inspire me to be and do better. As you cuddle with your mother, snuggled deep upon her chest, I see her smile and I see you peacefully enjoying her warmth and the sound of her heart beating. You teach me to appreciate the simple free things in life as they are worth more than anything money could ever buy. The definition of brave cannot be more defined than by you. You have taught me appreciation, acceptance, understanding, compassion, patience and hope. You have taught me much more than I could have ever taught you and for that I am grateful. Those who pause in their world long enough to get to know yours, will know what it's like to meet a true living miracle and I am thankful I was chosen to be part of it.

I wrote this to share with an upcoming graduate class and thought I would share it here with you all as well! Good luck as you graduate and start your new career! 5 things you need to know as you graduate nursing school: -You don't know what you don't know- keep learning, keep growing, and never feel too comfortable in any situation. This statement cannot be any truer. As you graduate nursing school you feel you have conquered the world. That if you can make it through the grueling adventures of being a nursing student that you can do anything! It's a great feat, and certainly not one that just anybody can do...so pat yourself on the back for that. But the knowledge that you get in nursing school only skims the surface. It gives you a sense of what nursing is all about and the skills necessary for critical thinking but most of what you will learn will be on the job. Be open to that. Don't shy away from new and sometimes scary situations. This is when you will grow. When you are uncertain of something, ask questions. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. Empower yourself and never stop learning. -Nurses can and will eat their young. This is true. Being a nurse can be very intimidating and often trying. A new job is stressful in itself but being a new nurse in new and scary situations brings this statement to a whole new level. Nursing units have a set of social rules that aren't written down anywhere and sometimes they are so hard to figure out. Don't give up. If you want it, I mean really want it; you will survive. Find yourself a mentor on the unit, someone you can look up to and trust. Someone you will have your back in any situation. Keep your eyes and ears open. Don't get too comfortable too fast. It takes a long time to develop trust but if you are patient and willing to stick with it, it will come, I promise. Just remember, in 10-20 years from now how you felt as a new grad...and treat your young the same way you wanted to be treated. We need to stick together. Strong relationships make strong teams. -Teamwork is an essential for survival. It takes immense responsibility and commitment to dedicate yourself to a place that never closes, where fragile lives hang on the line, where you can celebrate life and grasp for it all in the same day. But you cannot do it all alone. Don't try and be a soul hero. It takes a team for things run smoothly and it's essential to have each other's back in every situation. Never shy away from another nurse or co-worker who is overwhelmed with a sick patient. You will be that nurse one day and you would want others to have your back too. It takes courage to conquer fear. Do it early and often in your career and you will grow to be everything you wanted, imagined and dreamed you'd be as a nurse. -Take time to be a nurse As nurses we get caught up in numbers, statistics, and pathophysiology. We are often so focused on the medical aspects of our job that we overlook the actual experience of being a nurse. The moments that can only be claimed by nurses. Step back and pause for a minute and put these moments into perspective. Take time to focus on the now and be clear and present in your specific task. I promise you there can be peace found in even the most hectic of days, the kind of peace that can't be seen by the naked eye, but felt by the heart. Look for these moments and celebrate them. They exist in every day. -Nobody cares how much you know until you show you care. You WILL leave an impact that can last for years to come. Decide whether you want this to be negative or positive. It really is a choice. Remember why you wanted to be a nurse to begin with. Ask yourself the question- if everyone I work with interacted with patients and family member the way I did today, would it be a better or worse unit? Answer it, and if it isn't the impression you want to leave then make sure you make an effort to change it. Stay grounded and keep asking yourself this question. Remember being perfect is never the goal, but being aware of your attitude and your interactions is. Never lose site of its importance. Being a nurse you have the insight and opportunity to see change in people. But more importantly these same people will change you. Your career will have moments of intense happiness coupled with moments of sorrow, love, and sometimes loss. Celebrate and acknowledge all these moments, learn from them, tuck them away in your heart, and refer to them often. They are what will make you a great nurse.

Thank you for your response! Yes, I am Canadian but I am currently living in the U.S. I have enrolled and I start Sept. 6th. I appreciate your response! :)

Hi I know this post is somewhat old- but I thought I would reply. how is/did the program go for you? Would you suggest it? Was it expensive? I am looking into the RN to BSN online neonatal specialty course. I'm really interested but apprehensive too. It seems expensive but looking around, I think it's average. How long did it take you to finish? Thanks in advance!!

Hi! I'd love to hear from others on the cost also. It seems sooo expensive. I have been looking at BCIT online and thought it was expensive but looking around, I guess it's average. Does anyone have any experience with the BCIT Program??

NANN actually has a developmental Care Specialist Certification. They have a book as well as modules (27 of them) in order to prepare for the test. You can find out more about it on the website- here is a link: http://www.association-office.com/NANN/etools/products/testproducts.cfm?product_class=DCS

Thank you for all your input! It's actually getting to the point where we are using the UAC more now than before to run TPN/IL We are having a problem with the NNP not being able to get the UVC. We had a discussion with the NEO and he basically said that PICC lines where more dangerous to use on kids than UAC to run TPN/IL. He stated that he doesn't see the point in putting the baby through a "time consuming" procedure for just a couple of weeks of TPN/lipids. We are running the lipids through the third port and not through the transducer...however, I still feel very uncomfortable with this. I have searched the internet for some literature on this (and possible fat embolism literature) but can't find anything. Does anyone have anything they can share with me? Thank you!

Hi, I was wondering if anyone works on a unit that routinely runs tpn and lipids through a UAC? and if so, do you run the lipids through the tranducer? The unit I work in doesn't use PICC lines near enough and we are finding that they are ordering the tpn and lipids to run for weeks through the UAC. I don't feel comfortable with this. You can't get a good wave form and pressure with lipids running through the third port. We were running lipids through the transducer:eek: and now are running them through the third port Any insight into this would be appreciated.

Actually, yes that is what I am saying. I really don't think it is safe!! I am trying to find out if other small units in the country are run this way...I hate to say it but I don't think that they are. Back up is critical and I feel I don't have it. Thanks for your response!

We don't have surgical patients- they are shipped out. But yes, all the rest. Our NICU has patients from 26wks-term

I work on a small level 3 unit of 16 beds. We have 1 NNP on 24/7- available if and when we need her. We have a Neo that is on "call" if we need him. He is there usually a couple of hours in the day, does rounds and then is off campus. As far as deleveries go- An RT, and an RN go to all high risk deliveries ( preterm, C/S, mec, vacuum,). If we feel the baby needs to be admitted to the NICU we call the NNP for backup. We are a community hospital and therefore do not have residents or fellows. Our Labor and Delivery/postpartum unit is 54 beds. In the NICU- we will have 2-4 RN's working 7a-7p shift and the same with the 7p-7a shift. This depends on census. If we have 2 nurses working- one of those RN's will be charge nurse and the other will be high risk. Both have an assignment. If there is a high risk delivery/admit that the High Risk RN has to attend that leaves just the charge nurse in the NICU alone with all the babies. Do you feel that this sounds safe? Would you be comfortable working with these conditions? Any input greatly appreciated!!

I was wondering if anyone can give me insight on how the NICU that you work in is staffed? Meaning, do you have NNP's 24hours a day? Do you have a neo on staff at all times (in the building or on call?) Does a staff nurse go to high risk deliveries? Do you have an NNP or Neo attend all high risk deliveries? What protocols do you have if you have an NNP on staff and not a neo- meaning what can't your NNP do that he/she would have to have a neo be either on hand or on phone? Thnks any info greatly appreicated.

Congrats!!!