Why NICU?

I'm not good at grownups. Plus I like the ICU environment. I can't imagine ever working anywhere BUT an ICU, except maybe the OR.

I actually thought I wanted to be an L&D nurse. I did a summer externship in L&D, and I was in the DR when a preterm baby was delivered. I don't recall how many weeks, but I remember thinking that he was the smallest baby EVER. He was probably like a 29 or 30 weeker, but I had never seen anything that tiny before. After watching the NICU team work on him, and then getting to follow them to NICU, I thought that it was pretty neat. When it came time to look for a job, I applied to a few hospitals, but really had my heart set on a pediatric area. The hospital that I ultimately wound up at offered me NICU. I took the opportunity, and here I am today. Can't imagine doing anything else.

When I was 1st in school I thought L&D or NICU. After doing my L&D rotation, it just wasn't enough excitement for me. Plus, I thought about having deal with a bunch of families, parents, women in labor. No thank you! "Remember if momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy!" haha

So I choose NICU, for me its more intense. I think what makes it more exciting for me is my patients can't tell me whats wrong with them, so I have to figure it out. I think it's been one of the most rewarding jobs so far. Getting to see babies that have been there MONTHS finally get to go home after we didn't think they were going to make, after endless amount of surgeries, etc. And they turn out to be these toddlers someday. Just amazing!! Of course not all of these little babies make it, but each baby has a special place in your heart.