What if I am not cut out for NICU :'(

dixRN · Mar 3, 2012

You are having major organizational problems. You need to use a hourly flowsheet & as you take report write the med due that hour in that hours space. Usually during report you will reveiw the MAR on each patient. Ditto for treatments, feedings etc. Then you can see at a glance what you need to do & cross off your meds as you give them. Most NICU nurses I work with organize themselves in this manner. If I lose my "brain" sheet I am in trouble! I do not rely on memory. I have seen many different variations of this report sheet but the principle is always the same. I am constantly checking my sheet on each baby. I also leave my PIV sites where I can see them when I walk by. If you have a higher rate you can get an infiltrate in much less than an hour. So if I have a crib baby with a foot IV then the baby is all wrapped up with that little foot sticking out. I might then throw a loose blanket over the baby where I can just lift a corner & immeadiately view the IV site without disturbing the baby. Hope this helps.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2012

I created an hourly "brain" that might be helpful for you. Send me your email in a private message and I'll be happy to send it to you. I have sent it to many many new NICU nurses on this forum. I needed it when I was new in the NICU b/c, as PP said, it's hard to get organized.

Just let me know, and I'll send it right over.

If you'd rather, you can download it from the storage site I use. It's an excel spreadsheet.

Go here: NICU Brain - Oct 2011 - PM and AM Shifts.xlsx

hcox1975, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2012

Don't beat yourself up. Every job in nursing takes organizing your brain, it's not just in the nicu. It's also very frustrating when other nurses treat newbies that way. Try writing out your report near the end of your shift so you won't forget anything. Also write out each hour on your shift and what is to be done each hour. You will eventually get better at remembering what is due. Write things out, even things that might seem trivial because your brain can only remember so much. Don't get discouraged. Anywhere you work in nursing takes time and everyone learns differently.

elliern88 · Mar 4, 2012

Thank you everyone, and Thank you very much Bortaz,rn for the workbrain sheet. I printed out a bunch of copies and am going to use that, I feel better about my organization already when I look at the sheet.

My Nurse Manager pulled me aside and gave me some nice words. She basically said she can tell I am not as happy lately, and to not get discouraged and that everyone goes through ups and downs. Also, she let me know that the infiltrate I had worried about for days was not as bad as I had imagined. She said the baby's hand looks great now, and it is something that I will be extra cautious about in the future.

I just wish the other nurses were as understanding as my manager. I hope everything starts to look up.

dixRN · Mar 4, 2012

Elliern: I just wanted to add that if you update your report sheet with any new orders it also is a terrific tool to give report with. For example: on your report sheet you have written current feeding order of FBM 24cal 26ml q3h, then you receive a new feeding order to increase to 28ml. You cross off 26 & write the 28. I keep my report sheet updated & totally current & can give report off of it. I write anything I need to pass on to the next shift on my report sheet (hourly flowsheet) so it is there to remind me to give that info in report.

I looked at the flowsheet offered above & it looked like a great tool. Please get back to us in a couple of weeks & let us know how it is going for you & if any of our suggestions worked for you.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Mar 4, 2012

You're welcome. Hope it's helpful to you.

babyRN0404 · Mar 8, 2012

Report can be really tough to give in the NICU- what I've found is some nurses expect certain things and can be very particular- others are easy going. It WILL get easier. You are only 1/2 way through orientation, so try not to be so hard on yourself! Good luck, and I'm sure you are wonderful!

elliern88 · Mar 9, 2012

Hi all, thank you again for your kind words. The past week was a little better, my organization is improving, a big part is because of the worksheet I received here, but I just still feel like I am struggling a bit on orientation. I feel so awkward all of the time, and am not quite used to taking care of the micropreemies. Moving a 800 gram baby on a vent scares me. Everyday something comes up that I don't understand or know how to do. I guess that is part of learning, huh? So, all in all there is an improvment but I still feel inadequate and I feel as if everyone has no confidence in my abilities as a nurse. Maybe I am being too hard on myself. I haven't made any major mistakes except for that infiltrate, that my manager assured me was not as bad as I had thought.

I look forward to posting here and will keep you all updated on my progress. It makes me feel better to be able to talk with people who truly understand the NICU. I tell my friends and family, and they are very supportive, but have never even been in a NICU so I don't think they understand how stressful it can be.

Bortaz, RN, I hope you don't mind but I did give another new grad who is working with me a copy f your workbrain. She is also having organization problems like I am, and I thought it could help her. I did tell her where I got it and gave her the name of this site and your username. I told her she should join, not sure if she actually will. Thanks again.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Mar 9, 2012

Bortaz, RN, I hope you don't mind but I did give another new grad who is working with me a copy f your workbrain. She is also having organization problems like I am, and I thought it could help her. I did tell her where I got it and gave her the name of this site and your username. I told her she should join, not sure if she actually will. Thanks again.

Of course I do not mind at all. I'm glad you have found it to be of some help. Good luck to you both! :)

Personally, I'm reassured by your willingness to admit to your struggles and your willingness to see out help and advice. Too many new NICU nurses are over-confident and don't recognize the shallowness of their knowledge and skill set. In a population as vulnerable as neonates, a little modesty and recognition of your limitations is a GOOD thing.

pfalls · Mar 10, 2012

Boratz I have enjoyed reading your supportive posts of NICU nurses, I, too, hope to one day work in the NICU and find the support and encouragement here refreshing.

Patty[

QUOTE=elliern88;6208970]I am feeling very terrible right now. I am having such a rough time with orientation, I have forgotten to give several meds, had a bad infiltrate the other day and have been getting a hard time from the nurses I give report to. I always feel like a bumbling idiot, and have a hard time getting organized. I am beginning to wonder if this is not for me. Is this normal for a new nurse in the nicu to be having such problems?? I am already halfway through my training process.

:'(

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

Boratz I have enjoyed reading your supportive posts of NICU nurses, I, too, hope to one day work in the NICU and find the support and encouragement here refreshing. Patty

thank you. I'm passionate about my babies, and I was recently new in the Nicu so I know what y'all are going through!Good luck to you!