Support staff

[Jules A, MSN]

Hi,

I was wondering what support staff you have in NICU. Do you use techs or is it just the nurses? The special care nursery where I did my clinical rotation didn't use support staff and I'm hoping to get my foot in the door while I'm still an LPN. Thank you for any insight you may be able to offer. Jules

[Jules A, MSN]

I would really appreciate it if someone would be kind enough to respond as to whether or not you have techs or CNAs on your unit. Really, I'm not looking to horn in on your speciality before I have my RN. I just wanted to know if there were non-RN positions in NICU. Thanks in advance, Jules

[Imafloat, BSN, RN]

I think it depends on the hospital. The special care nursery where I did OB clinicals only had nurses, but the NICU I am at now has UAPs.

[Jules A, MSN]

I think it depends on the hospital. The special care nursery where I did OB clinicals only had nurses, but the NICU I am at now has UAPs.

Thank you so much for replying. If you get a second, what exactly is a UAP?

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Unlicensed Assistive Personel.

[Jules A, MSN]

Unlicensed Assistive Personel.

Lol, I thought it was yet another certification I would need to get! Thanks MarieLPN.

[Halinja, BSN, RN]

On one of my rotations there was an LPN in the grower/feeder nursery

[cocco]

At the NICU I will start in next week there are only RNs

[Jules A, MSN]

Thank you all for taking the time to answer. I was thinking it might be a good idea to try and get some experience at a lower responsibility level if possible while I'm finishing my degree. I took care of a grower/feeder during my clinical rotation and loved it. The stakes are so high with these little ones I would feel more comfortable starting slowly. Again, thank you!

[prmenrs, RN]

When I worked in a large NICU, we had non-licensed personnel in 2 categories: clerical--answered phonecalls--lots and lots of them, greeted visitors, including enforcing handwashing and restrictions as per Unit policies, helping the docs (the docs "counter" was in the clerk's area) and a LOT of other things, esp if something was happening in the unit.

The other ancillary personnel we had worked out in the unit--stocking supplies and linens--truely a never-ending job, running labs, getting equipment from central supply, a "go-fer", but a REALLY needed one. They kept track of when the incubators had been thoroughly cleaned (babies can be in there a loonngg time), let us know so we could either change it out, or hold the baby while they cleaned it. When a baby was discharged, or moved from incubator to open crib, they "terminally" cleaned the bed.

Both these positions were (are) critical to making the unit function.

All other personnel are licensed, either RNs or RRTs.

[Humbled_Nurse]

In our NICU we have unit secretary's. They answer phones, man the front desk, put in orders, assist with circ's, clean beds, etc... In general they really don't have any direct patient contact, but on occassion if we really get in a bind we will ask them to feed a easy baby. I think it is a good opportunity. They get to see how the unit functions and get to be in the NICU environment.

[cshell1964]

We have PCT's (Pt care tech) and SNT's (student nurse tech) in our level 3 NICU. PCT's do unit secretary duties, stock, clean equip, and may assist with VS and basic pt care. SNT's take a phase 2 (intermediate care) assignment and her meds are covered by an RN