What type of person makes a great NICU nurse?

[DayDreamin ER CRNP]

I have taken two medical/nursing specialty personality tests. One test placed me in NICU in my top ten and another one placed it as my number one match. I really was surprised because I have never really given much thought to any pediatric specialty until this test. The test results also gave some rationales about the methods and reasons I scored high in that area.

I am a senior nursing student. I'm older (will be 40 when I graduate) and I have one child. I've talked to several of my girl friends that are nurses / NPs and when I tell them about this test and the results they all say, "I could see you in the NICU." I do have one friend that does work nights in the NICU and she said that I would be a good fit for the night shift up there and would fit well with that crew too.

I honestly always saw myself in the ER or L&D or OB related area (mother/baby, antepartum, etc) because I do like a faster paced environment. I'm not totally crazy about 100% bedside nursing either. So far, I think I also like having a relationship and knowing my patients. I've been working as a tech on a family practice unit for several months and I do like having those same patients for several nights and getting to know them a little.

I think here are a few preceptorships in the NICU and only a few students get those because they are so few slots. Before I pursue this as a preceptorship I'd like to know if it would really be a good personality fit based on your experience. So what makes a great NICU nurse? What type of personality do you think works better in this environment?

meredith