Laura21

What are your nurse to baby staffing ratios? Our guidelines are: vented babies 2:1, O2 babies 2:1, intermediate (mostly IV kids) 3:1, and the feeders are 4:1.

My 6y/o son was in the NICU. He was 36 weeks but he had PPHN. He was very ill and at times we were very close to loosing him. During that time I was in my nursing clinicals so my experience definetly had an effect on my choice of area to work. I love working in the NICU, but honestly it has been a hard journey. The first couple of years working the NICU were challenging.... It created a lot of emotions that I had to work through. In the long run it has all been worth it! Sometimes when parents are having a difficult time I talk to them and share my experience and it seems to help them to know that I was in their shoes once. In a sense it has been therapuetic for myself and for the parents. Good luck!

I have used a couple of acuity tools, and are currently working on trying yet another one. However, every time it has been found that they are not accurate in justifying adequate staff for the NICU.

I would like to know what is the policy/procedure for surfactant use in premature infants at other institutions. I have read that it has been recommended that any baby less than 28 wks should recieve surfactant on the warmer. I want to know if this is in fact is a common practice. Thank you.