TakingCareOfBabies

Thanks for the input. I found out that some one is in the process of doing number 1. I have spoken to our education resource nurses and will be working on number two. It will be more like an enhanced orientation where we will provide more support through out the first year of employment in the NICU. NICUgal, it would be very similar to what your unit is doing as our unit hasn't been all the proactive in supporting new nurses once their original 3 months is over. I have actually found a lot of support in the research in helping new nurses to be better prepared.

Hi Everyone! I have been totally MIA for a while. I've been doing my MSN for Nurse Education. I am about to start my next (and final) class that includes creating a EBP proposal. From reading the syllabus, it appears that I just have to create this proposal, not implement it. However I would like to be able to use something that I can then take to my unit as a proposal to implement a positive change. I currently have two ideas, i would like to pick your brains if you will, and if you have any other suggestions that are going on in your unit or have gone on in your unit I would greatly appreciate it. 1. Head neutral positioning for preventing IVH: this has come up for me because of two little ones I have been caring for for some time. One is my primary. They both have severe IVH one more than the other and I noticed that there really isn't any practice/protocol for head neutral position in the unit. Many of our micros and preemies have head bleeds of some sort. 2. Extended continual education/rare skills/skill & comprehension for novice nurses: this has come up because since I have been at this unit for just about 2 years we have gotten over a dozen new/novice nurses. Some did not last through orientation, some did not last much past the end of their orientation, some are still struggling. Some (at least half a dozen) have come to me to vent about how they feel thrown to the wolves, or are struggling in one form or another with a variety of things. I would like to implement some kind of continuing workshops available for new/novice nurses for 6 months to a year after they are finished with orientation to revisit skills/practice/concepts to help them feel more confident/comfortable/safe in providing excellent care for these precious patients. It wold include flame free round table meetings where the new nurses can bring forth questions or concepts that they are struggling with. These round table meetings would address areas that need improvement and additional education. I HAVE discussed both of these ideas with a few of my peers and they like both of the ideas. But I also want to know what else is going on out there in other units. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and ideas.

No inconvenience at all. I think getting NRP and STABLE certified is a good plan of action.

Hi Ladyj, I know your question is directed at Steve, but I wanted to address it a little bit if you do not mind. I graduated a new grad in 2008 and went straight into a Level III/IV NICU. I've heard from people who have worked at multiple hospitals that many Level III NICUs prefer you to get prior experience on a Med Surg floor. I'm sure that is not what you want to hear. I certainly did not want to hear that. I found that teaching hospital seem to be more open to hiring new grads. The first hospital I worked in did (obviously) and it was a teaching hospital. I also would check into looking at hospitals in the midwest and southwest. I just moved across the country to a level III in the southwest that is in dire need of NICU nurses. Not only did they offer me a nice sign on bonus and relocation stipend, but they are now paying for me to go to graduate school and earn my Masters (including books and school related supplies). I think that would be a very good option for you as well. If you would like to discuss it into further detail with me via PM I would gladly give you more information. I just do not care to post publicly where I work etc. Best of luck and hang it there.

Hello Everyone! I am about to start my Masters Program in Nurse Education, our first assignment is to interview a Nurse in our Specialty with their MSN. I am wondering if anyone would be willing to volunteer? If so please private message me so we can set something up. I can either email you questions, or we could chat on messenger or AIM or Facebook. Thank you!

Why did you decide to go into Nurse Educating? Do you still do patient care as well???

At my new unit we are up and down. At my old unit i am told that they are super slow.

I gently slip my hand in and rest it on their trunk and count for 60 seconds. If they are restless or upset, I do my cares first, get them settled and do the resps at the end when they are rested and comfortable. Hope this helps!

I went from Philadelphia to no Albuquerque New Mexico. I'm loving my job and my experience more and more every day. Ofcourse I miss a lot of my coworkers back home. But I am really enjoying all the stuff I can do on this unit.

CHOP really isn't all its cracked up to be. Don't limit yourself. Go to a unit that will value you and what you can bring to the unit as well as a unit that will teach you and help grow as a nurse. I'm not saying CHOP won't do that.... but there are other great NICU units out there. I worked at one in the Philadelphia area that I thought was a great unit. But now that I am at a different unit, I am aware of how much better units can be. I'm thankful for the experience that I got at the NICU, but so much thankful for having found this Unit that fits me much better .I feel they truly value thier kiddos as more than just patients at my new unit. They see them as babies, as someone's daughter/son, as a person who deserves quality care at all times.

I went right into a level 3 NICU after graduation nursing school. In general I think the profession is very stressful. However, I love my job. I am still very new. Only a little over a year experience, and I haven't been exposed to much. SO the fear of the unknown is stressful. But knowing that I am helping a baby make it to milestones or even to an day of life, makes it all worth while!

I think that I would be very hesitant to do this. If you decide you might want to, I think its very important to set very clear guidelines as to what your responsibilities are and to make it very very clear that you will be there as a babysitter... not a nurse. I think it is a good idea regardless to get your own personal insurance too.

Hi Everyone! Sorry I haven't been on the site in a long time. I actually moved! I left a level 3 NICU on the East Coast to go to a level 3 in the Southwest. My orientation is almost done. Its only 8 weeks since I had a years experience under my belt. Its not as good as my first one. But I like this hospital and the unit much better. I am going to start grad school next year to be an ERN. :-)

I have books for all quarters available along with the "made incredibly easy" books, "reviews and rationales" and some other books that helped in my success through nursing school. So I am offering help to students at any point during the program, not just those who are starting. Campus bookstores are a rip off for the used books they sell. If I have any books left by the spring, I will post again. I have already sold 6 books since first posting. :-) Also feel free to ask any questions about the program.

Hi. If you are interested in purchasing text books and/or supplementary books to get through the ACE program please let me know. I and other former students are trying to get rid of these books. You can PM me! Thanks! Good luck in the program!