Being a NICU nurse is a demanding job and is definitely not a job for everyone. NICU stands for neonatal intensive care unit and you will be dealing with sick newborns and babies. A majority of the day is going to be spent on your feet and you will also be washing your hands plenty of times throughout the day. A NICU nurse is typically just a RN that has received extensive training in this specialty and for the most part, you will have 2 or 3 babies that you are responsible for during your shift. This allows for more one on one time and adequate care for each child. You will also be tending to patients and helping them cope with what is going on.
Caring for Children
The biggest responsibility you are going to have as a NICU nurse is caring for little babies. This can be stressful for some as it can be bothersome to see little children who are sick. You are going to be documenting their condition as well during your shift. Caring for babies can include giving shots they may need, cleaning or changing out the IV fluid lines, and you may also be responsible for changing diapers, monitoring their vitals, preparing them for tests and tub feeding babies as well as bottle feeding them.
Guiding Parents
There are many parents that want to be a part of their baby's care, and therefore you as a nurse are going to be there to help them. You will help them with changing diapers and how to clean their babies without disturbing them too much or moving any wires and cables that may be attached to baby. You will be showing parents how to feed the baby and also anything else that may be needed to care for baby.
Briefing
Before you begin any shift, you will be given your patients as well as any updates or changes that may have taken place. You may be caring for the same patients as you had the day before, and you may also be caring for the same babies until they are healthy enough to leave the hospital. You will learn any tests that may be ordered as well as other instructions that were ordered by the doctor while you were gone. You will be told if any new babies have been admitted to the NICU and if your patient load has changed at all.
New Admits
If any new babies are brought to the NICU during your shift, you will be helping with ne admits and that means getting them registered and giving a medical exam to get a basic knowledge of the baby. You will be setting up the room s well as getting baby hooked up to necessary monitors if needed. If the doctor has ordered any tests, you will help get the baby ready as well. Once your shift is done, you will give the rundown to the nurse coming on shift. Being a NICU nurse can be draining and you will be on your feet for 8 and sometimes even 12 hours at a time.
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