"I don't know how you can do that!"

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Does everyone else hear this a lot? People always say to me something along the lines of, "I don't know how you can do what you do, I can't stand to see those sick babies." I almost don't know how to take this. I'm sure they don't mean it this way, but it's almost like an accusation that I'm heartless to be able to go into work and see these babies without breaking down into tears everyday. Just wondering if anyone else feels this way, and if so, what is your response to this comment? I've just been saying something along the lines of, "It can be hard, but it's worth it," and I also remind them that most of the babies do end up going home.

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Specializes in NICU Someday, I Hope.

As both the parent of a 27-week preemie who did 100 days in the NICU and a man changing careers with dreams of BECOMING a NICU nurse, I'd reply "How can you not do it?"

  • There is not a more vulnerable patient population in desperate need of great nursing care.
  • There is not a patient population that offers a higher return on the investment of nursing energy.
  • There is not a patient population who engenders more compassion and dedication from the staff.
  • There are not a group of nurses who can have a more significant impact on a family's life than the NICU nurses.

I just can't imagine a more fulfilling job than being a NICU nurse.

From this parent's perspective, THERE ARE NO GREATER NURSES IN THE WORLD THAN THE NICU NURSES!!!

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Specializes in nicu.

I get that a lot too. My response is usually, "Someone has to and why not me." I love to take care of those babies and love to see the fruits of my labor when they finally go home. It does make me sad sometimes but I love my job so much. I agree with BEGGAR...NICU nurses are the best.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

"they make smaller messes"

"they weigh a LOT less"

"they're more fun/cuter"

"as opposed to taking care of some crabby adult? No contest"

"I tried grown-ups, this is better"

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Specializes in NICU Someday, I Hope.

Oh yeah, prmenrs, I forgot about the weight.

When I explain my desire to pursue NICU, one of my reasons is "The really huge patients weigh 12 lbs, not 400 lbs..."

And, following through on a commitment I made long ago: To the three of you, on behalf of all the preemie parents, thank you for your service to our kids. You make more difference than you probably realize...

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Specializes in NICU.

I feel the same way when people say this to me. I don't know how to take it either and almost feel like they're accusing me of being heartless because I work in this area.

But then I have to remember that most people have NEVER stepped inside a NICU before, so they have no clue. If they're not a parent of a NICU baby or a NICU worker, they really have no idea what the whole environment and experience is like. So they just go based on their ideas, whether it be their own ideas they make up in their head, or what they see on TV.

It's like they think ALL we do all day is watch these babies suffer, stick them continuously for IVs/labs, and torment them ......... constantly. Yeah sometimes it sucks bad and it breaks your heart, but thank God those times are few and far between ..... with the good stuff outweighing the bad.

They don't know how awesome of a feeling it is to give that mom or dad a hug and to hear the words "thank you for taking care of my baby tonight".

They don't know how great of a thing it is to take care of a baby in intermediate nursery and then go on to discharge the baby. You know, that same baby that was so tiny at birth. The one that was on a ventilator for so long, the one that was so sick at times, the one that had the parents you fell in love with. To bottle feed them, rock them to sleep, and see them well on their way to discharge, after going through so much ....... how awesome is that?!?!

And they pay me to do it! Like someone else said, how can you not do it?

Thanks for this thread.

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I said the same thing to an RN when my twins were in the NICU. I assumed the NICU would be a depressing place to work, and an RN quickly educate me (and I've posted this before), she said, "Not at all...these babies get better and we rejoice with every ounce and milestone just like the parents do."

Now this is what I want to do for a career...amazing how life takes you in directions you never thought you would go.

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And try explaining that is can take four people to weigh a 28 weeker that is intubated. One to hold the infant, one to watch and guard the ETT, and then one to change the isolette, and one to do the actual weighing.

Love to see the look in their eyes.

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Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.

My sister and my mom have a hard time hearing about what I do. One time I showed my sister a picture of a baby under bili-lights and she said "OH how sad!!! That baby looks so sick!!"

They just don't understand it. They never wanted to visit my work when I asked...however my dad did and he was in awe. I'm so glad he came to work and saw what I did, he encouraged me to be a nurse...he passed away almost 2 years ago. :(

Anyhow, I know what you mean.

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Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.
And try explaining that is can take four people to weigh a 28 weeker that is intubated. One to hold the infant, one to watch and guard the ETT, and then one to change the isolette, and one to do the actual weighing.

Love to see the look in their eyes.

Your unit needs Giraffe beds! They have the scale built into the bed, you just lift the baby up, put the baby back down and get your weight. These are new to me, and they're great!!

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Thanks for the replies and suggestions on what to say everyone. Glad to know I'm not the only one who's a little unsure of how to take the comment.

Your unit needs Giraffe beds! They have the scale built into the bed, you just lift the baby up, put the baby back down and get your weight. These are new to me, and they're great!!

I love the Giraffe beds! They're great.

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Specializes in NICU.

How about the fact that baby vomit and poo smell a lot better than that of their adult counterparts.

AND, I'm not going to throw my back out turning them.

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