mom2alyssa

Whew, what a discussion! I too am one of those "experienced med/surg turned NICU nurses"! I have 7 years of adult med/surg/CCU experience under my belt, and as told in my beginning posts, I decided to transfer to the NICU because of my experience my daughter who was a 26 wkr. I was one of 16 (?) nurses hired into our NICU this summer and I think I am the only one that isn't a new grad. I was told by a friend of mine that works in the NICU that the manager was glad for all these new grad coming in (we are short staffed--funny huh?!) but that she would love to get a few experienced-nicu or not- nurses in there. I agree with some points on both sides here. I believe the original poster was being a bit harsh though. If I had known I wanted to be nicu nurse in school, I would have gone right to it--not to med/surg first. What's the point? One of my college instructors used to tell us to go into what we are interested in--not to med/surg or the hospital just to get some experience. If you only want to do doc. office, then go to it- don't waste your time. You'll learn what you need to know in that setting. But I only went through my preemie experience 2.5 years ago and after 1 year of racking my brain on what to do, I decided to transfer. Keep in mind I left a great job, with great hours, good management, great co-workers and docs.--yes I've been smoking crack!!!- to go to the nicu- because I felt in my heart it's where I needed to be. I'm glad I made the move, but it's been tough. My nursing experienced has certainly helped, but has gotten in my way also. I told myself that when I got there I would try to be a clean slate-but it's hard to do that. I was upfront with my preceptor in telling her not to jip my orientation just because I have experience. I want to be given what a new grad would be given. She agreed, but has said having an experienced nurse to orient has been nice because I do have direction, thinking skills, I know how to listen to heart and lungs, mix up drugs as instructed, chart, confront NNPs, and MDs. But I warned her that I would ask ANYTIME I felt uncomfortable. She has not been hovering, which bothered me at first, but is available when I need her. I can't say that a new grad will be "better or worse" than me. It is so individual. I have the passion because I've had personal experience in it and it's near and dear to my heart. my situation may be a bit different. New grads are given an excellent orientation. I never had a problem with a new grad taking my baby as long as she had confidence and asked someone else if she didn't know the answer or wasn't sure about something. New grads are just a reality in the nursing world. You're going to have them no matter what--they've gotta start somewhere and if it's the nicu-so be it. But, I don't want other rn's thinking of transferring to the nicu to be discouraged by this discussion either--it can be done. OK, just my 2 cents!!!! Renee

I didn't mean to offend any "non preemie mom RNs" out there. But, I--along with many other preemie moms I know--find great comfort in talking with someone who has been there. Albeit everyone's preemie is different, it is still comforting. And you are right too--every family reacts differently. I would only offer my understanding if I felt the parent/s would be accepting. If the parents are in the unit alot and you take time with them, you get to know them and what they may or may not be comfortable with you saying to them. That's just my 2 cents! I seriously didn't mean to come across as being "above" other non preemie mom RN's just because of my experience. I think more times than not it helps to have someone who truely understands--even if it's nothing but to say I understand the emotions you're going through...because as I said before no 2 babies are alike. I was fortunate in that my 26 wkr was spared many complications--on vent for 10 days, no NEC, no IVH, ROP I that resolved. There are some 26 wkrs that are much sicker than that. And I will probably have a hard time figuring out how much support and understanding to give to the parents of a sicker 26 wkr....I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I just have to remember to be sincere and passionate. Renee

I agree with fergus51. Having a healthy baby IS different from having a micropreemie. My daughter was a 580g 26 wkr and although I don't have anymore kids-I know it's different than having 38-40 healthy baby. I just started this week as a NICU nurse--had done adult care for 6.5 yrs--and I can't say that being a mom will make me better than non moms. But, I can honestly say I think being a preemie mom will give me an advantage over non preemie moms with true understanding and empathy. Not that all the other nurses don't understand, but I've been there done that and it was HELL and I still have moments where I cry thinking about it all. Helping these babies and families has become my passion and I hope I don't ever forgot that. And it's just that-the passion--that makes you a good nurse. Renee

Thank you Kathy for your kind words. I am in Greenville, NC at Pitt County Memorial Hospital--level III NICU. Renee

Well, I lied :) ....I'm really not new here. I actually posted here many months ago when I was playing around with the idea of transferring to the NICU. I have been in adult nursing for about 6.5 years. My dd was a 26 wkr-580g- that spent 3 months in the hospital I work at. I am delighted to say she is a normal 2.5 year old that amazes me and makes me thankful everyday. (Only receives some OT for mild dyspraxia--but is smart as a whip!!) I had been feeling this "calling" for the past year or so to work in the NICU and I finally got the nerve up to put adult care away and take a position in the NICU. All my friends thought I was crazy--but I just felt in my heart it was where I was meant to be. I started on Tues night of this week. First night I observed, and the 2nd night--last night- I took the 2 babies we had and did complete care for them! We (preceptor and I) had 2 intermediate babies on isolation,nasal cannula,og feeds,HAL/lipids, and abx--so not a bad assignment. I was still overwhelmed and got a bit frustrated at times. I think I was being hard on myself. I've always been very organized with my nursing care and charting and have been able to think steps ahead. But last night I felt like I was playing "catch up". I can't stand that!! I didn't expect to be doing complete care on 2 babies on the 2nd night. But maybe jumping in soon is the best way for an experienced (non neonatal)RN to learn. I mean I have the core nursing skills and knowledge that new grads don't have. Any of this making sense? any suggestions out there for me? P.S. I'd like to purchase a good neonatal nursing book--any suggestions? Renee

I am fairly new to the board....have posted once about how it would be to work in the NICU if you've had a preemie before (I've been an RN for 6 years and thinking about transferring to NICU), but I didn't get much response. So if any of you get a chance, please read my post and give me your thoughts if you have any. Now, with that said, on to my reply to this subject. We have a wonderful group in our area call the Family Support Network (FSN)--may be nationwide? They match parents with others that have been through similar situations. NOt just dealing with preemies, but all pediatrics. I volunteer as a parent support person. I have become great friends with one of the women I was assigned to. We have been friends for about a year now and it's so great to have someone to talk to that know what your're going through. Our children are about 7 months apart and we just clicked. Even though I have the older preemie-she has been more of a support to me than she realizes. While my dd was in the nicu, the FSN offered scrapbooking, etc once a week for parents to get together. But it wasn't very convinent for me. I wish they offered varying times. But an in hospital support group just to talk would have been wonderful. Our worlds are turned topsy turvy and the stress of wondering if your precious baby will live or die, be normal or have disabilities is tremendous. To have others to talk with on a weekly basis would have been great. I think monthly is not enough. Nicu RNs--please be supportive of your parents and be there for them. I know they (we) can be aggravating at times--as I know my adult patients can be too!!--but just try to put yourselves in their shoes. Some of my favorite nurses were my favorite simply because they cared for not only my baby, but for me and my family. I don't remember what technical things they did, who was the first to trial Alyssa off the vent (well I do remember that one!) or how many times they had to stick her for an IV, but I do remember the hugs, conversation, encouragement, and love. I hope someday to be able to give all this back. Renee mom to Alyssa former 26 wkr 580g now 22 mo old and healthy!

Hello! I am new to this board. I am an RN currently working in an endoscopy lab,and the mother to a preemie- but I am interested in transferring to our NICU--. Here's my story: I developed severe pre-ec at 26 weeks and delivered my miracle 2 days later weighing in at 1 lb 4 oz and and great length of 12 in!! :) I got pg with the help of Clomid and went on to have a fairly good pg until about 25 wks. I started swelling--just a little at first, but by a week later, I could barely tie my shoes! About 6 days before I actually delivered I became very sick--vomitting and unable to hold anything down. I was dehydrated and was having some--what I thought was contractions. I went to OBs office--BP was 110/60 and they gave me 1.5 L of fluid and IV Zofran and sent me home. And like I said by Tues. I couldn't tie my shoes. A former L&D RN that I worked with convinced my to check my bp--it was 200/110! Another friend of mine took my urine to the ED and dipped it--he came back saying the paper went black when he dipped it! Still--being the ignorant nurse that I am! hehe!--nothing can happen to me-right?--I was convinced everything was fine. I called my doc and he said get over here right now! I was admitted that afternoon and by Thurs-2 days later because of my worsening condition and Alyssa's decels, my precious baby girl was delivered. She spent 91 days in the hosp-5 in NICU. She was only vented for 9 days, had no IVH or NEC, but had numerous blood and plt transf and many infections-incld a meningitis scare, and 2 ing. hernia repairs. I am happy to say that she is a healthy 22 month old who can count to 7 (skipping 6!), has over a 50 word vocab and is starting to talk in sentences. She is slightly behind in motor skills (possible dyspraxia) and is receiving PT, OT and EI services. She had Stage I ROP that resolved itself. She is above her adj age in everything else--and at her chron. age in a few areas! She continues to amaze many people, most importantly her mom and dad! Now almost 2 years later, I'm thinking I want to work in the NICU. I feel because of my personal experience I could really empathize with the families and provide a special kind of support that maybe someone not having had a preemie can give. Not that any of you don;t support the parents, but there's a special bond between preemie parents-exp those of micropreemies. But, my personal experience is just what I'm afraid of. I 'm afraid that I am looking at this move through rose colored glasses and I emotionally won't be able to handle it. But, I just feel this calling- like God is whispering to me to help those like me. Although the emotional rollercoaster is now more like a kiddie fair ride--I still have my days when I cry--for happiness, sadness, anger, etc. I dont' want to make this move and then realize I made a mistake. I have a great job now--M-F 8-5, and one out of 10 weekends. And I was just assigned as one of 6 permanent charge nurses (everyone was rotating previously). I would like to stay here for a little longer-plus my husb and I want another baby and I would like to wait to work in NICU until after I have the 2nd baby--I definatly don't think I could handle working in and having a baby in the NICU at the same time. Does anyone have any advice? Have any of you had a preemie or know someone who's had a preemie and gone on to work in the NICU? How did they handle it? IF you've gotten this far--thanks! I can be long-winded---even online! Renee mom to Alyssa 26 wkr now 22 mo!:)