Why I want NICU-good reasons? (long)

Jolie, BSN · Mar 15, 2008

As a former NICU manager, I would say you are definitely on the right track!

Leave out the part about the bad back. That was actually one of my reasons for going into the NICU as well, but it is not something any employer wants to hear about :)

Some important qualities for NICU nurses in a nutshell: 1) Anal retentive, fastidious, meticulous attention to detail. 2) Fiercly protective of patients. 3) Loves a good mystery and enjoys playing detective - a mental challenge to figure out symptoms and problems since babies don't talk, or even differentiate their symptoms very well. 4) Participates well within an interdisciplinary team. 5) Enjoys long-term involvement with patients and families (nutty as they may be) throughout the continuum from intensive care to discharge. 6) Enjoys teaching.

raerusse · Mar 16, 2008

Thanks Jolie!! I forgot to mention that I loooove teaching. I don't think of myself as being very anal rententive so I have often questioned whether I had the personality for the NICU. I think though that I am very protective of my pts and assertive so maybe I have some of those qualities that can help. I hadn't thought of the "detective" aspect! I love that I will get to use my mind that way.(even though it is probably frustrating at times not knowing exactly what they are feeling). I definiately will not mention my back at an interview! It's a legit perk but shouldn't be your reason for going into such a special field. LOL I bet people actually said that in an interview with you!:chuckle:chuckle I shouldn't be laughing-- I hope I don't get nervous and say something crazy! :mad:

Keep it coming (if you don't mind) I've noticed how helpful you NICU folk are with NICU hopefuls/students and new grads! We appreciate it!! :up:

raerusse · Mar 16, 2008

LOL! I tried to edit my post but I was too late! I didn't mean that "Keep it coming" comment for you Jolie, I meant for others. :imbar I was just suprised that I already got a great response from a Nurse Manager and was getting greedy for more!!:wink2:

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Mar 16, 2008

You still do IVs, central lines and urinary catheters in NICU.

You get more than 2 patients in NICU. Up to 4.

Other than that, it sounds like you are on the right track for NICU. Good luck!

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 16, 2008

While none of your reasons are "wrong," it's what you left out that I worry about. As someone who has spent 16 years working in NICU's -- 14 of them in NICU staff development -- I worry that your reasons are too "reasoned" and thought out as if you were shopping for a practical choice. I didn't see much in your OP that talked about being drawn to the babies, or about your feelings toward the babies.

In my experience, most of the nurses who thrive in NICU are nurses who are attracted to the patients themselves in some way -- usually on both an emotional level and with an intellectual fascination. It's a "drawing towards" these patients and a sense of committment to them that helps them get through the bad days. Do you have such an attraction? If you do, why wasn't it evident in your post?

raerusse · Mar 16, 2008

While none of your reasons are "wrong," it's what you left out that I worry about. As someone who has spent 16 years working in NICU's -- 14 of them in NICU staff development -- I worry that your reasons are too "reasoned" and thought out as if you were shopping for a practical choice. I didn't see much in your OP that talked about being drawn to the babies, or about your feelings toward the babies.
In my experience, most of the nurses who thrive in NICU are nurses who are attracted to the patients themselves in some way -- usually on both an emotional level and with an intellectual fascination. It's a "drawing towards" these patients and a sense of committment to them that helps them get through the bad days. Do you have such an attraction? If you do, why wasn't it evident in your post?

Well, in a way I guess I purposefully left that out. Your concern was mine as well (example: never been one of those "baby people" that had to hold a baby whenever she saw one-I think they are precious and want to be a mother, just figured happy baby stays happy when with own mother. lol:mad:) but then I realized people are just different. I don't like to make decisions on feelings and I just didn't have any specific thing that drew me to a specific field besides the kind of nurse I want to be and the kind of care I want to be able to provide to my pts. (I kind of revealed in my post my strengths and the kind of nurse I want to be) If I had that draw where I had to work with babies no matter what I would not be questioning whether I can find my niche in the NICU. I am drawn to nursing because I want to help people when they are most vulnerable. Newborns and families in the NICU definitely fit into that description. I feel very strongly about my patients in general and I did work in LDRP as a PCT who did a lot with the infants as far as bathing/VS/hearing screenings/heal sticks and I enjoyed caring for them very much. They were mostly healthy but occasionally we'd have one that needed monitoring and often we'd have one that was born addicted and going to CPS--those would weigh heavy on me when I went home. I have a huge sense of justice and desire to nurture. It's hard to see the hand that these babies are delt at the begining of life. All I can say is that my reasons are very thought out because I didn't feel that initial specific calling to work with babies. I am just getting really excited now that I can see myself in that role as their advocate, and all of the things you great NICU nurses are. :bow: Thanks for the response. I really want to have what it takes and If I go into the NICU. Motives are very important to me and I want to go for the right reasons!

raerusse · Mar 16, 2008

You still do IVs, central lines and urinary catheters in NICU.
You get more than 2 patients in NICU. Up to 4.
Other than that, it sounds like you are on the right track for NICU. Good luck!

Yeah I guess I knew you do IVs/Central lines (that was kid of dumb of me, where is the "duh" smiley?), just thought it might be different. But I had no idea you did urinary caths??!! really?? I'm glad b/c I really want to master my skills. But that is kind of dissappointing about the four pts. I think I could handle four but I thought this was critical care? I guess it would be fine if it's acuity based and safe. Four is a fine number for keeping track of things/"being on the ball" about what's going on with each pt but what happens when things go wrong--its an ICU! My impression is that pts in ICU go south quickly. Do you sometimes feel unsafe? Thanks for the feedback!

elizabells, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2008

Four would be feeder-growers, not-so-sick babies. It can be overwhelming in terms of time management, but not so scary. The scary ones are when you're shortstaffed and you get a kid who should be 1:1 along with an "easy" kid. I don't care how "easy" a baby is, if I've got an ECMO, I don't want ANY other kids to distract me.

And yes, sometimes things go south quickly. That's when you call your charge nurse and get help. Usually people around will be willing to pick up your extra patients if one suddenly becomes 1:1.

And in re catheters: We do them for ECMO kids, some surgical patients, and for urine cultures.

NICU_babyRN, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2008

Although your reasons are great, I think it would really benefit you to look for a day of shadowing experience in a NICU where you can see how the NICU functions.

I would say 90% of the nurses in my unit wanted to be ICU, but most importantly, they were (are) fascinated by newborns and the complexity of neonates.

You have to remember that these patients have limited communication abilities. Their communication comes from facial expressions, sprawling arms and changes in vitals...

So you may want to know everything that is going on with your pt but sometimes it remains a mystery!

danissa, LPN, LVN · Mar 17, 2008

I think I've made up my mind that NICU is where I want to be as a new Grad. Please read me reasons and comment whether they are accurate or good reasons if you can. I am including where my strengths are etc.
Only 2 pts! again I can't stand the thought of not knowing all the details about my pt b/c I am so busy with others or forgetting pts names etc. I want to feel comptetant and in control. Med surg with 8 pts gives me the creeps for this reason. I want to feel like I am giving my pt's the best of me. I am not good at multitasking.

rae..your reasons for wanting to nurse in the NICU are all valid, but this one statement is a bit off course! If ONLY I ever had only two patients! This week, we had four staff come on to 19 babies, which included two sets of unstable 25 week twins. The help we get is minimal, and whilst looking after one set of tiny twins, I had to pick up stuff from the other sick wee ones in the icu! I cant remember the last time I had a 1:1, 2:1 shift.

If you want a job where your bum doesn't hit a seat for 14 hours straight..then this is the job for you! Saying that, I would not swap my job for all the tea in China!!! If you go there and love it like I do, then no matter how tired , absolutely bushed you are, you will feel achievement, even if you are too tired to drive home!

Good luck to you babe, just don't equate neonates with easy assignments, its still backbreaking stuff, you need to be a contortionist to bend your back into loading pumps etc!

And in the Special care part of the unit..seven or eight babies to one staff member happens..and babies don't reason with you...when they need attention....they NEED attention!

In Control??? Who said anything about being in control??

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Mar 19, 2008

I like your reasons. I am with most everyone in that you should keep the bad back thing to yourself. I think it's a good reason, but managers don't want to hear that.

I disagree that you need to be a "baby person". I guess because I'm not one of those. I get uneasy when I hear people wanting to do NICU because "I just love babies!!". I think those folks sometimes have trouble realizing that these are sick humans that need a bright focused problem solving mind in charge of them.

I think babies are cute but I'm like you, I was never a person to just seek out opportunities to hold and play with infants before I went to NICU. I've really developed an affection for the little critters now.