What NICU books?

prmenrs, RN · Feb 6, 2006

Merenstein and Gardner and a Neofax

Gompers, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2006

I agree with prmenrs - that textbook is pretty much the gold standard for any NICU newbie! There are others, but that one is wonderful and such a good reference once you start working.

The book that got me interested in NICU nursing (back when I was about 16) was "Born Too Soon" by Elizabeth Mehren. She's a New York journalist who had a very sick preemie, and she wrote a book about their NICU experience. The way she remembered the nurses was wonderful, and I decided right then and there that I wanted to be one of them. She just had this gratitude and respect for them. Reading about how strong a sick preemie can really be was inspiring to me. I still cry my eyes out every time I read it.

Of course, my personal favorite NICU related book is "Saul" by Rosemary Kay. I wouldn't reccommend it until after you start working in the NICU though. It's a story told from the perspective of a 23-week preemie. There's not a whole lot of explainations in this book, as compared to Mehren's, which is why it will make a whole lot more sense once you've been working for a bit in the NICU.

Good luck and welcome!!!

hugs&kisses · Feb 10, 2006

Thanks for the suggestions.

However I am getting desperate now coz I was not yet called for the interview. I just passed the nclex but not a new grad. No experience with neonates. So I guess my chances of being hired for NICU is dim. I hate to think that I am left with no choice but start in MedSurg adults, no offense to medsurg nurses. I wish some kind of miracle will happen for me. I really want to be a NICU nurse.

hugs&kisses