"unlearning" med surg habits?

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Specializes in Orthopedics.

I've been trying to get a NICU or Post partum job (transfer) for a few months now, and reading posts on here for inspiration :) I've been a med surg nurse for three years and while I like my job, all I've ever really wanted to do is work with babies and new families. When I graduated, I chose a job in m/s because (1.) its an awesome hospital I probably won't ever want to leave; and (2.) The job was offered to me (several of my classmates still work in SNFs because the job market for new RNs here is practically nonexistent.). My question for all of you seasoned NICU nurses is what are these "bad habits" I keep reading that I will need to unlearn? You've got me nervous! :confused:

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I don't think it's so much that you pick up loads and loads of bad habits. I think it's more that, as a group, we're pretty danged Type A in the NICU, so lots of people have to get used to a new level of accountability when they transfer to neo.

Back when I was on the ambulance a few years ago (which I understand isn't the same as med-surg nursing), it was routine for medics to administer IV meds without ever swabbing the port on the IV tubing. If I even thought about skipping my 30-second scrub in the NICU, it definitely wouldn't fly.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I agree, it's not "bad habits". It's a whole new skill set and a whole new "frame of reference" in NICU vs adult nsg. NICU is way more OCD abt hand-washing and other infection control stuff--our pts immune systems are immature-different from compromised since their immune systems have never been competent.

Most of nsg education is adult oriented, and spending your first experience w/adults cements those concepts. Great, until you walk into NICU and all those concepts become invalid. You hear over and over "It's different w/babies." It is. You do get over it.

I'd suggest you focus your continuing education on neonatal topics. And I certainly wish you the best of luck in getting a job on a neonatal unit.

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Specializes in Orthopedics.

Thanks! Great idea, I'll look up neonatal CEUs tonight!

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Specializes in NICU.
I don't think it's so much that you pick up loads and loads of bad habits. I think it's more that, as a group, we're pretty danged Type A in the NICU, so lots of people have to get used to a new level of accountability when they transfer to neo.

Back when I was on the ambulance a few years ago (which I understand isn't the same as med-surg nursing), it was routine for medics to administer IV meds without ever swabbing the port on the IV tubing. If I even thought about skipping my 30-second scrub in the NICU, it definitely wouldn't fly.

:eek: WHAT? Is that routine in adult nursing as well? Oh my goodness. Well, I know where I will be if DH goes to the hospital.

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Specializes in Orthopedics.
:eek: WHAT? Is that routine in adult nursing as well? Oh my goodness. Well, I know where I will be if DH goes to the hospital.

We "scrub the hub" on my unit, and it is taught on all m/s units in the hospital I work at. We also use those Curos to cap off all ports on all central lines.

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Specializes in NICU.

Thanks for letting me know :) I was flabbergasted...!

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