Starting NICU in 2 weeks, any fast facts/cheat sheets?

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Specializes in NICU/Neonatal Step-Down.

Hello All!

Let me say off the bat that I love Allnurses. This site has already helped me immensely as a new grad and I cannot wait until I have some exp. under my belt and can return the favor to others on here!

My query right now is this:

I'm starting my 12-16 week orientation in a NICU at a University hospital in about 2 weeks, and I am hyped...but lately I'm also getting a bit terrified. I graduated back in May and havent been on the floor since, and I am moving out of state to get this (my dream job). This puts even more pressure on me to succeed. I am just scared I will be too slow on orientation,make mistakes or need to ask for help too much, though the manager did say they "werent scared" of new grads.

Do any of you wonderful NICU RNs have any tips on important things I should study and/or start memorizing? Important meds? Anyone have report sheets or "quick fact" sheets?

I am already reading "The handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care"

Any replies are really appreciated, thanks again all! :loveya:

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Specializes in L/D 4 yrs & Level 3 NICU 22 yrs.

It is OK to be nervous. I don't recommend reading that entire book from cover to cover before you start. I do like that book and use it myself. What I suggest you do is to pick out a patient or 2 each day and read the relevent chapter that relates to your patient. It really will sink in better if you can personalize it. Say you have a baby with chronic lung disease. Read over that material, maybe on your day off and think about it. Or your patient has a PEG tube and you read about that. Even something as simple as jaundice and phototherapy. Just a suggestion that has worked well for my orientees.

Good luck in your orientation and never be afraid to ask questions and learn!

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I have been in the NICU for about 3months now. I wish I had gotten the book "Stable" sooner. It is a good overview of the basic needed to know in the NICU. I came from Oncology and since it is so different the book would have helped me understand new things going on :)

:twocents:

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Ditto on STABLE; I got a hold of a colleague's book shortly after my orientation was over and I was annoyed I hadn't seen it sooner. It answers most on the basic questions regarding care of ill newborns. Later new grads got the class as part of their orientation (I pushed for it) and I finally just got the class 2 years in, as I am now attending deliveries. Real good stuff.

Beyond that...my unit has a "General Policy" for the NICU in our policies, it is a quick guide to our policies on vitals, SaO2 parameters, med admin, etc. If your facility has one of those, that would be a good start, that way you are doing things the way your facility wants them done.

By the way...2 weeks before my orientation ended, my preceptor expressed doubts as to my ability to work independently, my speed (or lack thereof), multitasking, etc. This wasn't a personal issue...we got along along great. Turns out I just didn't really "blossom" until I was on my own. Just a something to keep in the back of your mind if your orientation gets rough.

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Specializes in NICU/Neonatal Step-Down.
It is OK to be nervous. I don't recommend reading that entire book from cover to cover before you start. I do like that book and use it myself. What I suggest you do is to pick out a patient or 2 each day and read the relevent chapter that relates to your patient. It really will sink in better if you can personalize it. Say you have a baby with chronic lung disease. Read over that material, maybe on your day off and think about it. Or your patient has a PEG tube and you read about that. Even something as simple as jaundice and phototherapy. Just a suggestion that has worked well for my orientees.

Good luck in your orientation and never be afraid to ask questions and learn!

Thank you for the advice, I will most definately do that to help me picture the patient while I learn :)

I just am overwhelmed by all the different diagnosis and treatments, facts and figures and meds, and I havent even started!!! lol I am the type of person who likes to feel like "I know this, I have a handle on it" so I just feel a bit uncomfortable knowing I'm coming into this job with not much information at all, and loads of responsibilty.

I want to help these babies and their families, im just getting scared!! : (

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Specializes in NICU/Neonatal Step-Down.
Ditto on STABLE; I got a hold of a colleague's book shortly after my orientation was over and I was annoyed I hadn't seen it sooner. It answers most on the basic questions regarding care of ill newborns. Later new grads got the class as part of their orientation (I pushed for it) and I finally just got the class 2 years in, as I am now attending deliveries. Real good stuff.

Beyond that...my unit has a "General Policy" for the NICU in our policies, it is a quick guide to our policies on vitals, SaO2 parameters, med admin, etc. If your facility has one of those, that would be a good start, that way you are doing things the way your facility wants them done.

By the way...2 weeks before my orientation ended, my preceptor expressed doubts as to my ability to work independently, my speed (or lack thereof), multitasking, etc. This wasn't a personal issue...we got along along great. Turns out I just didn't really "blossom" until I was on my own. Just a something to keep in the back of your mind if your orientation gets rough.

Thank you for the info and advice!

Since both of you recommended STABLE, I just bought it from amazon.com!

The general policy thing is a great idea too, I'm going to try and get my hands on that ASAP!

Thank you for the experience with the preceptor..your situation is kinda what scares me, but I should just brace myself and prepare to be given lots of constructive criticism. I hope I can keep up!!:eek:

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Specializes in NICU, Peds, Peds Office, Home Care, Sale.

Congratulations on your dream job. Your obvious motivation and enthusiasm will go a long way in guaranteeing your success.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.
Hello All!

Let me say off the bat that I love Allnurses. This site has already helped me immensely as a new grad and I cannot wait until I have some exp. under my belt and can return the favor to others on here!

My query right now is this:

I'm starting my 12-16 week orientation in a NICU at a University hospital in about 2 weeks, and I am hyped...but lately I'm also getting a bit terrified. I graduated back in May and havent been on the floor since, and I am moving out of state to get this (my dream job). This puts even more pressure on me to succeed. I am just scared I will be too slow on orientation,make mistakes or need to ask for help too much, though the manager did say they "werent scared" of new grads.

Do any of you wonderful NICU RNs have any tips on important things I should study and/or start memorizing? Important meds? Anyone have report sheets or "quick fact" sheets?

I am already reading "The handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care"

Any replies are really appreciated, thanks again all! :loveya:

I just started in a Level III NICU right out of school, too, so I don't really have any advice. However, I do want to tell you congratulations...I've been there now for a little over a week (as an RN) and I am in love. Never enjoyed any job so much in my entire career. Good luck and keep us updated!

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Specializes in NICU level III.

Ditto on the STABLE course. Your hospital should offer this as a class because it is a certification.

Just know there's a lot to learn & take it a day at a time. It can be very overwhelming, but most of it you will get with time & patience. Never be too scared to ask questions no matter how silly they may seem!!

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Just know there's a lot to learn & take it a day at a time. It can be very overwhelming,

Oh, yes. Going into my 3rd week, I can tell you this is true. My unit puts it's orientees with an RN working the most acutely ill babies, and man...I sure miss the feeder/growers I got to care for during my school-level preceptorship.

I love the acute care, but it can get so deep and complicated that I find it a bit daunting. I'd like to have something like, maybe...2 days of very critical baby assignments followed by a day of fat babies to feed and hold. I understand the concept of "learn on the hard ones and you can work with any baby", but even the long term nurses on the unit say they'd like a break occasionally.

I'll take what I can get, though, and my preceptor assures me I'm doing well!

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I will address this question from a social aspect since that is a huge part of your job. I am fortunate to work in a NICU where staff are very kind to one another but some high stress NICU's will "eat their young".

a.) do not act smarter than your preceptor

b.) if you don't know the answer don't act like you do, admit it

c.) Don't gush about how cute the babies are

d.) Buy your preceptor a present

Good luck, A former preceptor

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU.
I will address this question from a social aspect since that is a huge part of your job. I am fortunate to work in a NICU where staff are very kind to one another but some high stress NICU's will "eat their young".

a.) do not act smarter than your preceptor

b.) if you don't know the answer don't act like you do, admit it

c.) Don't gush about how cute the babies are

d.) Buy your preceptor a present

Good luck, A former preceptor

Thanks for the tips and info. I'll be starting in January and I think I will have at least 2 preceptors. What kind of gifts would you recommend buying for my preceptor(s)?

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