Volunteer/Shadow experience in the NICU

[klama78]

I am at the start of the road to becoming a NNP. I'll be doing an accelerated BSN first, hopefully starting next summer, then gaining a couple of years experience as an RN, then on to do my Masters after that. But before I get onto the accelerated BSN I would dearly love to do some volunteering or shadowing of an RN/NNP in the NICU. Do those of you working in the NICU think that this would be possible, and if so who do I talk to at my local hospitals? I'm originally from the UK, so have Visa restrictions as to what work I can do, thus the fact I just want to volunteer at this point. I have 10 years experience as a professional nanny, so am pretty confident and knowledgeable when it comes to the general care and development of normal/well term babies. Would it be possible to volunteer in a NICU, to help with general care of the babies? I would really, really love to help in kangaroo care, and any other tasks I could do taking into account I'm not an RN yet, but am so keen to get learning and experiencing life in the NICU.

I'd love to hear from any NICU nurses as to how they got their foot in the door, so to speak. And if anyone works in any Boston NICU's and could offer me even a day of shadowing, or the name of someone I could talk to, I would be so grateful!

[klama78]

Anyone?

I'd really appreciate any advice from anyone on how to get the ball rolling on becoming a NICU nurse.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

I am not in the Boston area, so I can't help you there, but you might be able to contact the HR dept in a hospital to see if they have any volunteer positions available. You may also want to contact the hospital's volunteer dept directly. As far as kangaroo care, that may have to wait until you are an RN. Most infants receiving it in NICU are too unstable for non-nurse to handle....

[klama78]

Thanks Steve :)

I was wondering about the kangaroo care in the NICU. Would you recommend I ask for volunteer experience in a newbie nursery first then, if I want to do more hands on care? Or is it out of the question that a volunteer can do hands on care? Obviously I am happy to do anything that would increase my experience, from bed changes to isolette cleaning etc. I guess I really need to talk to the NM or HR people at my nearest hospitals to try and find out what, if anything, is available.

By the way I have done some reading on this forum and have to say you sound like a wonderful nurse, and it's really refreshing to hear from a male nurse who is so passionate and knowledgeable. Where I'm from (UK) I did not really have any exposure to male nurses whenever I was in a hospital environment. I like how the profession is seen more "equal" here.

Anyway, thanks so much for your reply :)

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Thanks Steve :)

I was wondering about the kangaroo care in the NICU. Would you recommend I ask for volunteer experience in a newbie nursery first then, if I want to do more hands on care? Or is it out of the question that a volunteer can do hands on care?

*Most* units do not allow volunteers to do hands on care, however there are some that have special volunteer "cuddlers" that come specifically to hold and play with the older babies. As far as cleaning and stocking, the liability issue pretty much limits stuff like that to employees.

In well-baby nurseries you would probably end up waiting on the moms on the adjacent floor.

Best bet is to contact hospitals volunteer depts directly and ask....