Four Key Characteristics Of A NICU Nurse
For many people, it can be difficult to decide what to do with the rest of their lives. For others, the answer was right in front of them their entire lives, but never realized it until going through an enlightening life experience. A person‘s life experience and the skills gained through these experiences can help in one’s ideal career. Just having the experience and skills, doesn’t get a person into their ideal careers. Many times a person must go through many steps in order to reach their ultimate goal. Every career is different, in the Neonatal Nursing career there are certain traits and skills necessary as well as educational milestones a person must have or accomplished in order to work in this career.
I am the oldest of five children …show more content…
so ever since I can remember I have been taking care of others. When my cousin had her first child, I experienced taking care of a baby for the first time and I really loved it. When my oldest daughter, Lilli, was first born and in the three months of her hospitalization in the NICU I learned to care for a neonate. I re-experienced this with my second daughter, Allyssa, in the NICU and at home because I knew the nurses who took care of her and they remembered me so she was discharged as soon as she reached 5 lbs. Obviously, babies grow and get older and I miss the days when they were babies. I feel like my place in this world is taking care of babies that need constant care and observation.
A neonatal nurse does the work of a critical care nurse, but for infants. Infants in the NICU are some the most critical patients that require constant observation. Generally, there are three levels that a neonatal nurse can work in the first level is for the healthy babies, the second is for sick newborns and premature newborns, the third level is for the infants whose cases are so severe they can’t be treated in either of the two previous levels (Charlie, par. 6). A NICU nurse provides respiratory care, feedings, medications, psychological support, and primary care. They also have to do technical work like keeping accurate record of each charges health details (Charlie, par.7). Respiratory care requires the nurse to properly place tubing when a ventilator is used as well as monitoring oxygen saturation levels (Robin, par 2). When a charge needs a CPAP machine the nurse monitors oxygen levels and makes sure the prongs stay in place (par 2). Nasal Cannula oxygen requires the nurse to make stay in place as well, with this type of respiratory support nurses must evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and adjust settings on the machine as needed ( par 2). Nurses must make sure there is no fluid secretions in the lungs (par 2). Feedings in the NICU are usually done in one of three ways. When an I.V. is necessary the nurse must set up the I.V. and I.V. pumps as well as maintain feeding rates (par 3). The second way feedings occur in the NICU is through nasogastric tubes that goes through the nose to the stomach where breast milk and formula is deposited (par 3). Bottle feeding is the last way to feed a charge in the NICU, which sounds easier than it can be with many charges in the NICU just learning how to use a bottle (par 3). Nurses must check for necrotizing entercolitis by measuring abdominal girth and checking for blood in the stool because these charges are more susceptible to many bacteria and viruses (par 3). Additionally, nurses in the NICU keep track and give medications to the charges who need it. They start I.V’s, draw blood, monitor blood transfusions, aggress I.V’s, and check for skin breakdown ( par 4). Nurses monitor and adjust incubators and other equipment that the charge requires. One of the most important aspects of being a NICU nurse is providing psychological support to the infant. This includes planning care to avoid disturbing the infant as much as possible and reducing stimuli to ensure quiet time (par 5). This is essential for the infant to heal and grow (par 6). Furthermore, communication skills are vital in this field because changes that occur with a patient can become fatal if not handled properly. Writing concise and accurate noted for the doctors ensure proper care and decisions are made about the charge. Comprehensive reports are essential for doctors to make decisions about the patients in the NICU ( par 6).
Infants in the NICU are some of the most critical patients that require constant observation, and care which is done by the neonatal nurse.
According to Windermere, four key characteristics of a NICU Nurse is caring, communication skills, stability, and critical thinking skills (par. 1). Caring is an imperative trait for a NICU nurse because newborns can sense compassion. A natural motherly instinct is vital to soothe babies (par. 2). Genuine sympathy comes in handy when working with parents and families of infants. Communication skills are imperative because neonatal nurses are the mediators between the child, the parents, and the doctors (par. 3). Neonatal Nurses teach and coach parents on how to take care of their special child (par 3). The neonatal nurse documents all changes and the progress of the infant (Robin, par 6). In order to document changes and progress, critical thinking skills are critical. This skill type allows the nurse to assess, evaluate, and react quickly too many different kinds of situations (Windermere, par 5). A neonatal nurse must be detail oriented, organized, and prioritize scheduling of care in order to disturb the newborn as little as possible (par 5). Mental and emotional stability is correspondingly vital in this field because awful things can occur in the NICU such as losing a child, deteriorating health of an infant, or even surgeries and the neonatal nurse must stay strong and upbeat in order to support the parents, this job can be stressful and burnout is highly possible if the nurse can’t cope with stress and be able to be somewhat emotionally detached from the life and death situations (par.
4). I have picked up many of these skills throughout my life. I have been working on my communications skills both in school and in the work force when I was a manager at McDonald’s and as a hostess at Papa Del’s during football rushes and dealing with upset customers. I was raised a caring and compassionate person. My motherly instincts were fostered while I was growing up by helping my mom with my brothers and sisters while she was in school. I fully realized my motherly instinct when I had my first child because even thought she was the most comply child I had ever taken care of I was good at it. I have been an observant person for as long as I can remember. It could have come from helping my mom with my siblings. I have always been good at evaluating and reacting to a situation quickly, but working at Papa Del’s has helped me to improve those skills. I have gotten better at organizing, prioritizing, and being detail oriented since I became a mother and had to start juggling schedules, I have had three years to learn and start to perfect this skill. Mental and emotional stability hasn’t always been one of my strengths. I have been plagued off and on throughout my life with depression. Although when I lost my son and still had to care for my daughter in the NICU. I gained a strength of will power and determination I had never had before. While working at Papa Del’s since that happened, my ability to stay upbeat while stress has increased. I am still working in becoming emotionally detachable though I feel as if this will come with experience in the NICU. There are other skills such as technical skills that are needed to be a Neonatal nurse, but these skills can be gained through a nursing program.
In order to become a neonatal nurse, I have to get my ASN which is the equivalency of an RN. Before I can do this though I need to get my CPR certification and take along with pass my CNA certification. Right now, I am really trying to get the best grades that I can so that I have the best chance I possibly can to get into the Nursing program as soon as I pass the CPR and CAN certification. In many places, an RN can start off in the NICU, but after a few years they can continue on in school to get their BSN and then their MSN, so that they can take the subspecialty certification that is needed on the NICU floor in many hospitals.
I am the oldest of five children …show more content…
so ever since I can remember I have been taking care of others. When my cousin had her first child, I experienced taking care of a baby for the first time and I really loved it. When my oldest daughter, Lilli, was first born and in the three months of her hospitalization in the NICU I learned to care for a neonate. I re-experienced this with my second daughter, Allyssa, in the NICU and at home because I knew the nurses who took care of her and they remembered me so she was discharged as soon as she reached 5 lbs. Obviously, babies grow and get older and I miss the days when they were babies. I feel like my place in this world is taking care of babies that need constant care and observation.
A neonatal nurse does the work of a critical care nurse, but for infants. Infants in the NICU are some the most critical patients that require constant observation. Generally, there are three levels that a neonatal nurse can work in the first level is for the healthy babies, the second is for sick newborns and premature newborns, the third level is for the infants whose cases are so severe they can’t be treated in either of the two previous levels (Charlie, par. 6). A NICU nurse provides respiratory care, feedings, medications, psychological support, and primary care. They also have to do technical work like keeping accurate record of each charges health details (Charlie, par.7). Respiratory care requires the nurse to properly place tubing when a ventilator is used as well as monitoring oxygen saturation levels (Robin, par 2). When a charge needs a CPAP machine the nurse monitors oxygen levels and makes sure the prongs stay in place (par 2). Nasal Cannula oxygen requires the nurse to make stay in place as well, with this type of respiratory support nurses must evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and adjust settings on the machine as needed ( par 2). Nurses must make sure there is no fluid secretions in the lungs (par 2). Feedings in the NICU are usually done in one of three ways. When an I.V. is necessary the nurse must set up the I.V. and I.V. pumps as well as maintain feeding rates (par 3). The second way feedings occur in the NICU is through nasogastric tubes that goes through the nose to the stomach where breast milk and formula is deposited (par 3). Bottle feeding is the last way to feed a charge in the NICU, which sounds easier than it can be with many charges in the NICU just learning how to use a bottle (par 3). Nurses must check for necrotizing entercolitis by measuring abdominal girth and checking for blood in the stool because these charges are more susceptible to many bacteria and viruses (par 3). Additionally, nurses in the NICU keep track and give medications to the charges who need it. They start I.V’s, draw blood, monitor blood transfusions, aggress I.V’s, and check for skin breakdown ( par 4). Nurses monitor and adjust incubators and other equipment that the charge requires. One of the most important aspects of being a NICU nurse is providing psychological support to the infant. This includes planning care to avoid disturbing the infant as much as possible and reducing stimuli to ensure quiet time (par 5). This is essential for the infant to heal and grow (par 6). Furthermore, communication skills are vital in this field because changes that occur with a patient can become fatal if not handled properly. Writing concise and accurate noted for the doctors ensure proper care and decisions are made about the charge. Comprehensive reports are essential for doctors to make decisions about the patients in the NICU ( par 6).
Infants in the NICU are some of the most critical patients that require constant observation, and care which is done by the neonatal nurse.
According to Windermere, four key characteristics of a NICU Nurse is caring, communication skills, stability, and critical thinking skills (par. 1). Caring is an imperative trait for a NICU nurse because newborns can sense compassion. A natural motherly instinct is vital to soothe babies (par. 2). Genuine sympathy comes in handy when working with parents and families of infants. Communication skills are imperative because neonatal nurses are the mediators between the child, the parents, and the doctors (par. 3). Neonatal Nurses teach and coach parents on how to take care of their special child (par 3). The neonatal nurse documents all changes and the progress of the infant (Robin, par 6). In order to document changes and progress, critical thinking skills are critical. This skill type allows the nurse to assess, evaluate, and react quickly too many different kinds of situations (Windermere, par 5). A neonatal nurse must be detail oriented, organized, and prioritize scheduling of care in order to disturb the newborn as little as possible (par 5). Mental and emotional stability is correspondingly vital in this field because awful things can occur in the NICU such as losing a child, deteriorating health of an infant, or even surgeries and the neonatal nurse must stay strong and upbeat in order to support the parents, this job can be stressful and burnout is highly possible if the nurse can’t cope with stress and be able to be somewhat emotionally detached from the life and death situations (par.
4). I have picked up many of these skills throughout my life. I have been working on my communications skills both in school and in the work force when I was a manager at McDonald’s and as a hostess at Papa Del’s during football rushes and dealing with upset customers. I was raised a caring and compassionate person. My motherly instincts were fostered while I was growing up by helping my mom with my brothers and sisters while she was in school. I fully realized my motherly instinct when I had my first child because even thought she was the most comply child I had ever taken care of I was good at it. I have been an observant person for as long as I can remember. It could have come from helping my mom with my siblings. I have always been good at evaluating and reacting to a situation quickly, but working at Papa Del’s has helped me to improve those skills. I have gotten better at organizing, prioritizing, and being detail oriented since I became a mother and had to start juggling schedules, I have had three years to learn and start to perfect this skill. Mental and emotional stability hasn’t always been one of my strengths. I have been plagued off and on throughout my life with depression. Although when I lost my son and still had to care for my daughter in the NICU. I gained a strength of will power and determination I had never had before. While working at Papa Del’s since that happened, my ability to stay upbeat while stress has increased. I am still working in becoming emotionally detachable though I feel as if this will come with experience in the NICU. There are other skills such as technical skills that are needed to be a Neonatal nurse, but these skills can be gained through a nursing program.
In order to become a neonatal nurse, I have to get my ASN which is the equivalency of an RN. Before I can do this though I need to get my CPR certification and take along with pass my CNA certification. Right now, I am really trying to get the best grades that I can so that I have the best chance I possibly can to get into the Nursing program as soon as I pass the CPR and CAN certification. In many places, an RN can start off in the NICU, but after a few years they can continue on in school to get their BSN and then their MSN, so that they can take the subspecialty certification that is needed on the NICU floor in many hospitals.