Shanlee79

Hi, Recently transferred over from NICU and feeling a little overwhelmed. I understand this is normal because change isn't easy, it's just not only is there a lot to learn but in general it is such a different atmosphere than what I'm used to. Going from order & structure in one little space, to 'go with the flow', all over the place and the unknown....which I thought was more my personality anyhow?? My orientation so far has very little structure to it and again, I think maybe it's throwing me off because I came from the complete opposite. I'm going to keep at it because I don't wanna just take the easy way out and quit..I truly wanna know if I was meant to take this path. Maybe only certain personality types can survive it here?? Perhaps someone else has experienced the same...??

I can strongly relate to your post. I was having difficulty deciding on where to be placed for my final practicum this past winter as I experienced more of those negative nurses you described during my rotations prior. I thought that was just the way it was. I set-up my own shadow day in NICU and boy was a glad I did b/c it helped me to see I was wrong. There I found the teamwork, the respect, the autonomy and the positive attitudes I was looking for. Not saying this isn't possible in other areas...just as a student being there for a brief glimpse in time it was hard to pick it out in other places. Everyone said .."oh how sad"..when I told them of my interest to pursue this area and I found it quite the opposite. Sure, there is some sad circumstances but for the most part I see a lot of hope and positive outcomes. Long story short...I felt what your feeling and I ran with it. I did my practicum there and was offered a full-time job in the end. This may not be the case for you then I agree with taking PALS/NRP and for surely send a card/letter to the unit manager to let them know what a wonderful staff/shadow experience you had and thanking the nurse who spent her time with you. Positive feedback is what keeps those units running well and I think the manager will keep your name in the back of her head and be more considering of someone who is passionate and excited to work there in the future. Good Luck to you. It truly is a wonderful place to work!

We had twins. Not named at birth. The mom was saying hello to one of them, calling them Infanta. We asked the mom where she came up with their name...she replied seeming confused 'you did, it's written on their sign'. She was referring to the name card that said "Infant 'A'" on it.

Yup. New Grad. I did a 3 month student practicum in there as well but still wanted to gage what the standard responses were. Thanks for your reply!

Hello, I have accepted an offer for my dream job in a level 3 NICU. Yay!! Wondering how long of an orientation should be reasonably expected? thanks!

I was warned that I wouldn't get to do many skills by my advisor but in no way was this the case! I worked with CPAP & trach babies (alot of respiratory care), NG insertions and gavage feeding, IM injections, administering blood products, catheterization, obtaining blood sample via heel pokes & arterial lines for lab testing, IV meds and fluids...just to name a few. I really found that I learned thorough assessment skills and interpretation of lab values, which is essential. There really was no typical day. Some days I would have one really sick post surgical babe needing monitoring, the next may be 2 stable grower/feeders where you spend most of your time teaching parents about caring for their little one ie) bath, bottles etc. I also got to follow our resuscitation nurses and watch triplets being born and transported to our unit. Pretty cool stuff! Hope this helps.

I am still awaiting the call back but I am mostly leaning towards staying in the hospital. Even though I have been there for 3 months already as a student, they have me scheduled for a 12 week theory/buddied orientation period. That appeals to me a lot. Also, my preceptor showed me the list of on-going educational courses that is continously offered through the hospital's centre-wide nursing program (which I am paid to take). I was told by the clinic mgr. that I would only be offered 4 weeks orientation and then I would be responsible for taking an online distance certification course within my year, which I would have to pay for myself. Perhaps a better move for me down the road. Thanks for all your replies!

Sorry, I will clarify. It is a term position in the onc clinic for a nurse who will be off for a yr on maternity leave. But by the time I get registered and orientated, it really will be more like 9 month term I would be hired onto.

Hello, I am a new graduate who has was offered a position in the ICU where I completed my practicum today. I also had an interview for a 1 yr. Maternity position in an ambulatory oncology clinic, which I believe went very well. Both places appeal to me for different reasons but of course the M-F hours of the clinic sounds fantastic! I am worried that if I turn down the hospital and go for the clinic, I may have a real difficult time getting a job there again afterwards if there is no longer a place for me when the term is up. Love some insight....

Your reasons for picking NICU mirror my reasons when deciding what skills I wanted to develop for my final practicum. These are areas I had not yet developed in school and I feel that I had great exposure with this and am grateful that I had this learning opportunity. I definately found the unique social issues challenging at first but I enjoy tackling these unique challenges now as well and have had great opportunities along the way building relationships and teaching that I had not yet experienced. Food for thought as well. Thanks!

Thank-you for your insight! I'm really not sure if I prefer neonates yet. I know that it has been an interesting and enjoyable learning experience and I have been facinated by many aspects but I have always worked with adults and sort of miss that relationship too. I have never been someone wanting to stay somewhere forever and seeing that majority of the unit is comprised of such is daunting at times. My preceptor has reassurred me that this isn't always the case and that many get accepted into the critical care course that's offered by the hospital and this leads to other doors being opened. Definately gave me food for thought. Thanks.

Hello all, Wasn't sure which spot to place this. I am completing my last week of internship at a level 3 NICU and have an interview slated. I also have an interview at a community hospital emergency dept that I have previously worked in as a nursing aide. I was always torn between choosing emerge or ICU during school. I do enjoy the NICU and the staff, however I am wondering if I should be starting out in emerge where I would be exposed to a greater variety of skills/pt's? Not trying to make this an ICU vs. Emerge debate...just trying to see where I best fit. Thanks in advance!

Thanks for your reply! I will keep you posted. I should hopefully know within the next few weeks. All my resumes are sent out...and my fingers crossed!

You know...I had the same thoughts when the recruiter had mentioned this. I spoke to the unit mgr. again today, she said she'd love to keep me on even if it means hiring me as a casual until a permanent spot pops up. I am slightly torn b/c I love the unit but I was hoping to start working full-time right away. I guess I have some thinking to do. thanks for your input!

Hello, I am currently finishing up my final practicum in a level III NICU and I am lovin' it! As it stands, there currently are no openings to offer me upon completion, so I am looking for some advice on where to go in the meantime. The options I have narrowed down to based on postings available are: -PICU -L & D -Maternity Float Pool -Pediatric Float Pool There are of course other areas hiring but I would like to stick to the woman & child health area. I appreciate any thoughts....

Hello to any who were following this thread... So, just an update since last fall. I was not accepted into the PICU but I was accepted into the NICU for practicum. I figure everything must happen for a reason. I am mid-way through now and just received my mid-term evaluation..to which I am doing fairly well. I am debating speaking with the MGR about being hiring on as a new grad...as a few of the staff are encouraging me to do so. I enjoy it, b/c everything is different from school and for once I don't feel like an awkward student. It's also intimidating b/c majority of the staff have been there 20 plus yrs. I still wonder if PICU is more for me, as I was more attracted to the variety and acuity of that unit. BUT I'm thinking that if I am offered a spot in the NICU, I should take advantage of this opportunity to continue learning & getting my feet wet as a new grad...and I can always try PICU down the road. I guess the first step is to talk with the MGR and see what she says before making any decisions. I think I am the kinda person who no matter where I was placed for practicum...I would always wonder about working in the other place. Just gotta learn to enjoy the moment and not fret about the 'what if's' Thanks for all your advice everyone!

Congrats and good luck!

I vote NICU as well. I worried the same thing before entering my preceptorship there but you never know how you'll handle things until given that chance. What you do know is if you're willing to take the chance in getting your heart broken. Which I was. IMO, I found my experiences on adult units to be just as sad if not more so, especially when constantly dealing with chronic issues & older pt's who are neglected in hospital care, with no family supports out there, etc. Give it a shot. I agree with shadowing for a day. That's what I did. There is no harm in being a caring & compassionate nurse, but if it's not the right fit....you'll figure it out soon enough. Good luck!

hey...I have recently asked this same question too as I am doing my senior practicum in NICU right now. I am not sure where you are at as a student or the length you'll be there but for me I am there f/t for 12 wks and I have found that bringing a notebook to keep track of all the skills and procedures I have learned or performed helps, so that when I am paired up with a new buddy nurse they have an idea of where I am at. In the beginning I was over preparing and trying to learn every aspect but found this stressed me out more than I needed. I have since relaxed and now I take my learning case by case. Looking up stuff as I go. I am sure to ask lots of questions (as they don't know what I don't know). Prior to shift I discuss with my buddy nurse their expectations of me so that we are clear and on the same page starting out, rather then asuming my responsibilities and getting in over my head. Hope this helps a bit? So, far...I have had a great learning experience. I hope the same for you too!

Your situation sounds exactly like mine. I conteplated this decision for some time recently as every advisor in school urged me to do the general med-surg route. Like you, I too had very uneventful rotations there & I dreaded going back. So I looked into shadowing other areas & getting the real scoop from nurses myself. Like the other posters mentioned..I learned that both our NICU's prefer to hire new grads who preceptorship there--it's a 3 month interview & free training program for them. I was worried about picking a specialty too but I decided to follow my heart and take the risk. Greater risks equal greater rewards, right? Plus, having NICU experience on your resume could be a real asset & actually help you to stand out! I start my preceptorship next Monday...I am very excited & actually looking forward to going to clinical for once. ;P Good luck to you!

Well, I can't offer pearls of wisdom but I do want to offer some support. I am about to embark on the exact same journey it seems. I received my internship sked & due to short staffing, I have been assigned several preceptors--with only 6 night shifts at the end. I am getting very nervous but I am trying to remain positive & try to prepare myself the best I can. I agree with BittyBaby, hopefully there is an educator on the unit or someone you can discuss these frustrations with to find a solution. I think it must be frustrating to be a new grad in general but especially difficult in a specialty without the right supports in place. Good luck to you!!

Some really good advice! What I am most looking forward to during this experience is that I will be the only student on the unit, so hopefully I will be able to get really involved as you suggested. I found in my other med/surg peds rotation, there were way too many of us students at a given time and therefore limited my learning opportunities. I will be sure to keep in mind that this is a possible 3 month long interview as well! Thanks for your reply.

Thank-you for the reply! No, I have no clue about blue bellys. I am anticipating that I will be learning alot. I was hesitant at first in picking NICU for practicum as it is the area we learned the least about in school. However, I am the kind of gal who learns best "on the job" and I need to visualize and ask the questions as I go. I have purchased the core curriculum book and begun compiling a notebook to which I have pasted some common conditions, meds & procedures specific to the neonate but I really like your suggestion to include a daily log of my activities too. I will definitely incorporate this into my notebook. Thanks!

Hello! I am very excited to be granted a spot in the NICU for final practicum in school. My understanding was that I would have 1-2 preceptors that I would mentor along the way, however I have learned that this is not possible and I will be given several preceptors throughout. Though I was looking forward to having a smaller number, I am just glad to be given the opportunity. I really want to make the most of this situation and am looking for advice/tips from any preceptors or fellow grads on how to make this a successful student experience. Thanks!