What Should I Expect? (aka My one HUGE fear!)

[darthbreezy]

I begin pre-nursing, BSN track classes in September and let me first say that I belong in the nursing field. I have thought many careers through and this is the one that will, in the end, be the most rewarding career for me personally. There is one thing I'm mainly concerned about: shifts and hours. I have read through "a day in the life of..." threads (whatever is posted on sticky) and I'm trying very, very hard not to repeat any other posts, but this is still a concern for me and I'm going to ask these questions anyways lol :)

I know it depends on where I work, but in general (or in your experience)...

*What shift should I expect to be working as a NNP?

*How do the shifts work? (Will I be working nights one week, then days another?)

*What are the health concerns associated with working primarily nights?

*Am I going to be sleeping in the day, working all night all the time?

I hope I don't sound more ignorant than I'm expected to be It's just nerves, but they can really eat away at you...so expect to be seeing me on these boards for the next, oh, ten years

Thank you!

darthbreezy :redbeathe

[Jolie, BSN]

You are beginning a long journey! Once you complete your BSN, you will need to work as a staff nurse in a NICU for at least a few years in order to be considered for acceptance to a Master's level NNP program.

So, I think it is best to focus on what a staff nurse's working day is like.

Most units work 12 hour shifts, perhaps with some limited options for 8 hours. Assignments vary widely. Some units segregate their very sick infants from the feeder-growers, so your assignment would likely consist of 1-2 critical patients or 3-5 grower-feeders. Other units house them all together, resulting in assignments with one critical baby and one more stable baby.

Hospital schedules vary tremendously. Some involve "set" schedules, where you work the exact same pattern every 28 days. Some schedule on a monthly basis, with set weekends to work and set weekends off. Some rotate shifts. I don't recommend taking a job with rotating shifts. It is hard on the body and mind. Many new grads don't want to wotk nights and think that rotating shifts are preferable. I disagree. Working nights is hard, but at least it is fairly consistent. Trying to get your body to adjust to a new schedule every 2 weeks of rotating shifts is very difficult.

You will be busy on your feet all shift, with an expectation for a brief coffee break and a longer meal break. You will likely have another assigned duty along with your patients, such as delivery attendance, first admission, relief of other staff for breaks, checking the emergency carts, etc. Once you have a few years of experience, you may be asked to precept new nurses, be in charge (make assignments and coordinate the unit for your shift) or do transport.

The NICU requires the utmost attention to detail. New nurses must be supported by experienced ones, so be sure to find a unit that has a significant number of experienced nurses working every shift. It takes about 2 years of full-time employment to become proficient at NICU nursing.