want to work intermediate care NICU

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Specializes in NICU.

Hey guys! I have been a RN for 6 months now in a level 3, rather large NICU, that does pretty much everything other than ECMO. I am finding out as the days go by that I much prefer the intermediate care side. The kiddos who are learning how to eat, may still have IVs for TPN or antibiotics, and may still have high flow nasal cannulas. In that area we have 3 babies and I love the hands on teaching I'm able to do with the parents. the fact that I can actually touch and move a baby w/o him or her trying to completely die on me, etc, etc.

My question is, as a new nurse, does it look bad if I automatically say I would rather work in the intermediate side rather than the level 3 ICU? I just love it over there and feel like that is where I am meant to be. Also, I don't know who I would need to tell this to. The charge nurses make the assignments so I'm guessing I'd start with them.

Thanks in advance for any info!

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Hey guys! I have been a RN for 6 months now in a level 3, rather large NICU, that does pretty much everything other than ECMO. I am finding out as the days go by that I much prefer the intermediate care side. The kiddos who are learning how to eat, may still have IVs for TPN or antibiotics, and may still have high flow nasal cannulas. In that area we have 3 babies and I love the hands on teaching I'm able to do with the parents. the fact that I can actually touch and move a baby w/o him or her trying to completely die on me, etc, etc.

My question is, as a new nurse, does it look bad if I automatically say I would rather work in the intermediate side rather than the level 3 ICU? I just love it over there and feel like that is where I am meant to be. Also, I don't know who I would need to tell this to. The charge nurses make the assignments so I'm guessing I'd start with them.

Thanks in advance for any info!

I would stay for the year before I look into making a career move. If possible, ask if it is possible for you to get more time in the progressive nursery.

Since it is your first nursing job (???), it is totally understanding for the feelings you are experiencing. After some more time in the unit you are at, you'll start to feel more confident, plus even in an intermediate nursery, you don't know when you may need those advanced skills.

Kris

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Specializes in NICU.

Oh no, I wouldn't change jobs. I like this unit....it's just broken up into the level 3 icu and the intermediate side. Same group of nurses work both sides and then there are some that are mostly on one side or another. I would like to mainly be on the internediate side. I just don't want my manager to think that only after 6 months i don't want to do the level 3 side. It's not that I don't want to be there, I just prefer the intermediate side of the unit.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Just let the charge nurses (or whoever makes the assignments) that you like to work the intermediate side better. I'm sure there are many nurses who would rather work only the intensive side. (Myself included :>P)

If it starts to get to the point where you are losing your intensive level skills, you still need to brush up on them...

By now, most of the charge nurses where I work know my favorites are pre/postop cardiacs, ECMO, and working in the transitional nursery (basically DR nurse)... they try to hook me up most of the time....

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Specializes in Level III NICU.

Our charge nurses also kind of know who prefers what. Everyone knows I'll take a sick 1:1 over 3 pokey feeders any day. I don't know if you can sign up for assignments, but I sometimes will write a certain baby's name next to mine or just write "sick baby please." Maybe you can start writing "intermediate care please" by your name? I would also talk to the nurse manager and tell her your preference. Like Steve said, there are probably plenty of people who would rather be on the other side.

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What Steve said. There are a few nurses in our unit that like doing feeder/growers and charge will give them that assignment if they can. I am grateful they do!

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

For me, there's nothing more physically exhausting than trying to coax 3 sucky babies to eat every 3 hours around the clock.....

They're always screaming, then go to sleep as soon as you stuff a nipple in their mouth...

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For me, there's nothing more physically exhausting than trying to coax 3 sucky babies to eat every 3 hours around the clock.....

They're always screaming, then go to sleep as soon as you stuff a nipple in their mouth...

Then they wake up as soon as you put them down, or poop or puke as soon as you pick up another baby to feed. Ah the joys of a feeder assignment. It seems like once you get one done, it is time to feed the next and so on and so on....

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I swear I'm going to invent a butt-patting mechanized hand that attaches to the crib rail.... I could be rich one day from that patent....

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