VLOG: Walking you through my shift in the NICU-What it's like to be a NICU nurse-NICU nurse routine

[@LeightonSanders]

Hey besties😇 hope this video is helpful! Also just want to say again how not every shift is like that - a couple of days after this I had 5 babies & a super stressful shift!😵‍💫 ya honestly never know what you’re gonna get lol!💕

[@courtneybarron3630]

Hey sweet girl! Postpartum nurse here :) I have SO much respect for what you NICU nurses do - i know it is so hard, but i so believe you make such a beautiful difference in the lives of those babies and with their parents. You're crushing it!

[@meganswitzler5390]

Hi! I want to go into Postpartum and/or labor and delivery too! Were you able to start this specialty as a new grad?

[@LeightonSanders]

Thank you so much!🥹 much respect to you postpartum nurses as well yall are awesome!🤍

[@courtneybarron3630]

@@meganswitzler5390 hey! I actually started as an adult ICU nurse but I know a tonnnn of people who started in L&d and postpartum as new grads! There’s ton of hospitals that do nurse residencies for these position for new grads 🤩

[@courtneybarron3630]

@@LeightonSanders thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@kimmylovesyuhh]

@@meganswitzler5390they hire new grads onto these floors! I was one of them and that’s all I’ve ever known!

[@sierrala9903]

I was born 3 months early, weighing 1 lb 6 oz and was in an incubator for 3 months. I'm supposed to be blind and disabled right now, but the Lord saved me 28 years ago. Thank you for all your amazing, loving and caring support you bless the babies and families with. 💓 I love the grey pillow that was behind you on the couch. That design would go great in my living room. Where did you get it? Lol

[@LeightonSanders]

AH what an amazing story God is so good!🙌🏼 and the pillows actually came with my couch, I bought from a local furniture store but I’m pretty sure it was an Ashley’s item!

[@Jordon-jk4zk]

I was also born 3 months early at 26 weeks and weighing 1 lb 14 Oz staying in NICU 3 MO I was supposed to be the same but God is very good ! You had a purpose just like me ❤ thank you to all the NICU nurses that make this possible for us NICU babies in such a crucial time in our lives care is so important

[@sierrala9903]

@@Jordon-jk4zk Oh wow! I've never talked to anybody that has the same story as me. God is so good and He saved us for His purpose! What a testimony we both share 🙌

[@Jordon-jk4zk]

@sierrala9903 yes mam! Keep on shining ✨️ your light and give God all the glory !

[@Shaybabe723]

I was born the same way & because of that, I have glaucoma due to my right eye not being able to fully develop.

[@carolinepowers2749]

As a nicu momma of a little warrior who spent 113 days in the nicu I just want to say thank you so much for everything you nurses do!! My daughter was born at 25 weeks and she is now almost 2 and her nurses are still like family to us! I keep in touch with several of her nurses at least weekly with updates and I couldn't be more thankful for the relationship we still have with them! Nicu life is extremely hard and I am sure its even harder for you nurses because yall see all the ups and downs these itty bittys go through. I unfortunately saw the nurses rushing to rooms when a code blue was called(thankfully not for my girl) but I know the heartache and fear it caused me even as a bystandard I saw my daughters room rushed multiple times with amazing nurses when my daughter extubated herself 3 times. By the time my daughter left the hospital I had learned so much that my daughters nurses said I should come work in the nicu but I know I could never mentally handle everything that you guys go through but I can't thank yall enough for being the strong ones to help our babies in every way possible! Also love from someone who was born and raised in Memphis and grew up with the Memphis grizzlies being a huge part of my childhood!

[@Motherhummingbird111]

Not gunna lie this video made me cry.. because I just am so blown away that angels like you exist and care for three little beings… I’m trying to decide what kind of nurse I wanna be after school and this really called to my heart

[@growwithkare]

I spent a month in the NICU with my son, and the nurses were so amazing it’s indescribable. I was am a first time mom, had an emergency c section, and they were so kind loving and patient teaching me how to swaddle and put on diapers. Post parting nurses were also spectacular and took care of me during my most vulnerable time, had to be on magnesium. I went again two weeks later and got my appendix removed. The whole month long experience being with these nurses moved me so much I decided to switch careers into nursing . Truly touched, I know it must be hard but I am positive you’ve made a great impact on people’s lives. Super sappy comment but- just wanted to show my appreciation!

[@brookecarter6728]

As a senior nursing student who is trying to navigate post-grad, this video was so helpful!! I want to be a NICU nurse and this definitely helped me confirm that :)

[@LeightonSanders]

Aw yay I’m so glad it helped!! Goodluck with your upcoming new grad season you’ve got this!😊

[@TheAcceleratedNurse]

I just started as a NICU nurse in a new grad program. I’m about 6 months in and your video is exactly how my days go in the NICU. Thanks for sharing how you manage your time. I feel like time management has been my biggest struggle and the thing I get the most feedback about. I’ve been looking for ways to improve. I also start 30 minutes early now for my cares and charting in real time as much as possible in the NICU is a MUST because when things get crazy they get really crazy!

[@LeightonSanders]

YES exactly time management in the nicu is huge!!! It definitely gets easier with time and practice😊 appreciate the kind feedback!💖

[@karenkirchner3043]

I was a NICU nurse in my first year as an RN and I was miserable because I was soooo stressed out. I would cry before every shift. Now I do health coaching. So different but the stress is 0. Keep rocking those PRN shifts!❤

[@LeightonSanders]

Goodness I don’t blame you the stress can be very overwhelming…good for you for finding something that works for you!!🩷

[@Olivia_1181]

Hey, How did you become a nurse health coach? Do you have a website for consultations?

[@karenkirchner3043]

@@Olivia_1181 , it’s a program offered by my company. I was trained in it and have years of experience now. 😊

[@Olivia_1181]

@@karenkirchner3043 That's amazing. Thank you for taking the time to respond to me. I really appreciate it. ♡

[@brendaababey]

NICU nurses rock !! Thank you for all you do. My baby was in the NiCu for 10 days and wow those nurses were amazing !❤

[@LeightonSanders]

Thank you for the kind words! Sounds like your baby had some awesome nurses☺️💕

[@marytn7944]

My daughter was 3 pounds 7 ounces and was in the NICU for 1 month and 1/2. NICU nurses are sweet angels.

[@Kalli4499]

I'm about to start my second semester of nursing school and I think I want to specialize in the NICU as a new grad so this video was incredibly helpful and interesting! You did such a great job explaining what you did throughout your shift and it can be hard to stay motivated at times but this video made me so excited and motivated to keep working hard!! 💗

[@Mina2006-p]

Gurl same I'm abt to go into my second semester and I am trying to pick between this and pediatric oncology

[@Haileyjane2004]

I start the Nursing program this Fall❤ I hope to work in the NICU after graduation🙏💛

[@Layla_msl]

Same girlyyy

[@Haileyjane2004]

@@Layla_msl so exciting😊😊

[@Layla_msl]

@@Haileyjane2004 it is! But I’m also nervous bc I am going into Bachelor Science in Nursing straight out of high school to hopefully become a NICU nurse once I graduate

[@Haileyjane2004]

@@Layla_msl Yes! I am doing a bachelors of science as well🥰 I wish you the best!!! I’m so scared, because of all the classes and learning everything…

[@68jgirl]

Wow it was so cool to hear and see what a shift in the NICU is like! Nice video!

[@MadisonThomas-tnc]

The sweetest nurse in the 🌎

[@LeightonSanders]

My GIRL🩷 ily

[@george-nb1cg]

I applaud NICU nurses, working in the NICU would break my heart seeing these little babies :(

[@shrinithaaelangovan7915]

Hi!! I was born as a 23 week micropreemie and your videos have been extremely helpful for me. I’m hoping to go into NICU nursing as my career :))

[@herbivore123]

These videos are amazing and truly so helpful and encouraging! Tysm!❤

[@thatslava]

Currently in school to become a Neonatal Nurse one day 🫶🏽 this video encouraged me even more to continue going. Thank you for this awesome video, would love to see more videos like this ☺️

[@LeightonSanders]

Yay I’m glad this encouraged you! Keep going you can do it!!💖

[@bellagrace_.boossss]

i’m only 16!! and i want to become a NICU nurse so bad! 🩷💙

[@its.Josie_]

You got this! Follow your dreams

[@courtneymiller3041]

You got this, just go to college and get that education and do your dream!💕 i believe in you!! I know school is hard just keep pushing and praying✝️

[@Mary-ig4ek]

I’m 12 and i love helping people and I also love babies! So NICU is my dream job if not that them labor and delivery!

[@hanglam]

omg!! i’m a prenursing student at memphis right now and freaked when i heard you say you dance for the grizzlies!! i’m so happy to have found your channel!🥹🫶🏻

[@LeightonSanders]

AW yayy I’m so glad to have you here!!🥰💙

[@kimtongo3533]

Wow , you are so smart!!!! I have a lot of respect for competent nurses!!!!!💚🩵💜💙🧡

[@tatin_k]

I love this!!!🤍 your videos are so relaxing!

[@LeightonSanders]

Thank you so much!!🥹💕

[@tumiretimberlake5225]

Really cool video! I enjoyed learning what working in the NICU will be like🙂

[@LeightonSanders]

Thank you glad you enjoyed it!😊

[@ThePiscesNurse]

This was an amazing video! I'm unsure about what specialty I want to try next but you made the NICU sound like a good place to try.

[@LeightonSanders]

Thank you!! NICU is definitely a great specialty to try😇

[@Patricia-z1u1f]

Thank you I'm in the medical field. I love your vlogs. I'm totally a coffee lover.

[@samanthapickett6014]

Omg! You seem like the sweetest girl! I live in Memphis as well!!

[@lexicarter1124]

As a mom who had a baby in the nicu thank you for all you do!! My baby girl is now happy and healthy and 6 months old and although it wasn’t an ideal situation the nurses who helped me after my c section and helped me with her are true blessings just like you!🤍

[@leanaam]

I’m about to start in NICU, so excited but also nervous to be caring for such a fragile population. I’m a new grad so I know it’ll be a huge challenge but I’m hoping to have an amazing team and preceptors❤

[@3ifle]

Hi Leighton you are amazing : ) Thank you for continuing to share nursing info and all of the fun lifestyle content. Pretty Please; show us how you did your hair in this video, ( products & tools too) you are a hair queen ✨

[@LeightonSanders]

Thank you so much!🥹 and yess I will definitely include that info in an upcoming video! Appreciate the input💕💕

[@Mina2006-p]

I really love how you broke it down for us ive been looking for a video like this since forever!! Im so glad i found it. I am a first yr nursing student and im between pediatric oncology nurse specialty or NICU nursing but am currently leaning more towards NICU. I would love for you to go even more in depth. Also how many break and how long are they typically?

[@dollybird246]

Oh I love this video 💕 can you do one about what interview questions you were asked and your resume.

[@LeightonSanders]

Thank youu!! And yess I’ll try to include some of that info in an upcoming video! Also I have an older video talking about my nicu interview so be sure to check that out if you haven’t yet🥰

[@dollybird246]

@@LeightonSanders ok will do , thank you 😊💕

[@MissCow_does_art]

Hello! I am about to go to 7th grade and a Nicu nurse is my dream job because I love kids and baby’s and I can’t wait to become one I’m going to study hard and focus on school I have a Heart condition called Tricuspid and I am a hospital baby I go to the hospital a lot so I already know so much about the hospital I can’t wait thank you for the amazing video sending prayers god bless you

[@desertqueenaz7895]

My dream job

[@Shellynorth24]

15 year NICU nurse here and I love to hear how other units operate. I’ve worked in 4 hospitals over the years and all but one have designated delivery nurses that don’t take an assignment unless we’re short staffed. The block scheduling for delivery isn’t something I’ve seen, sounds interesting! How many beds is your unit?

[@jenniferortiz9553]

I was wondering why you were so cheerful in intro 😆 PRN nursing is great … full time nursing not so fun 😉

[@LeightonSanders]

😂 I feel that honestly. I try to be positive for my videos but I’ve been all over the place w my feelings for nursing lol it can be roughhh!

[@mariam1234-l5u]

Hi i’m a hs student and this is a career field i’m interested in and i wanted to thank you for showing me this

[@Terica008]

I didn't know you from memphis!! It's good to see a fellow Memphis on KZbinr lol

[@Regulategoogle]

Both of my children were born under 1lb, one at 26:4 one at 26:0 both are perfect!

[@Genok981]

Do you have a hair tutorial for the hair you have in your intro? Gorg!!

[@vikkypisciotta5899]

hi leighton! 💗 new grad NICU nurse from sacramento here ☺️ i work at a level IV. this is my first nursing position. i’m a month into my job, and i feel so so so overwhelmed. i feel dumb almost everyday lol. please tell me this feeling goes away eventually 🥹 it’s stressful because of all the information i’m learning since we don’t learn anything about the NICU during school. anyways, i love your content 🫶🏼 your channel is one of the channels i watch on my days off when i’m laying in bed trying to relax or even cleaning haha. i hope you have an amazing year 🩵

[@LeightonSanders]

Thank you so much for the support!🥹🫶🏼 and congrats on your job that’s amazing you should be proud!!! And yes that feeling WILL go away. It’s 100% normal to feel like that! I felt super overwhelmed and stressed at first but it gets better I promise! 1 month is such a short amount of time in the grand scheme of things that’s basically still brand new! You’ll feel comfortable in time😊 just remember that the current stresses are learning experiences to get you to that place of confidence! Goodluck you’ve got this🥰👏🏼👊🏼

[@nickyjones867]

Here in the uk we have to follow a strict uniform code and you can’t have your hair down if it’s longer than shoulder length. It seems more chilled in the US

[@CarolGoodwill]

What do you use to curl your hair? It’s so pretty!

[@jesseedanielle]

You look a lot like Katelyn brown :) love this video!

[@rebeccarosenbaum-b1u]

OMG! I can’t even pee or a drop of water as a surgical nurse!

[@kwal15]

I'm only 13 and my dream is to be a neonatologist and I can't wait!

[@laraolsson5319]

Im a teen and I really want to be a NICU nurse and I wanted to know what it would be like and this helps thank you!

[@andreasmith7064]

Hi! Senior nursing student here

[@LeightonSanders]

Hii thank you!! And honestly I actually started making one several months ago and never finished it lol - so I truly appreciate your input cause it has motivated me to go through with it!🥰🫶🏼

[@bethpeters3477]

Hi This is my first time seeing your blog. A few years ago, I was a volunteer at the Children’s Hospital. I worked in the NICU as cuddler. I was able to hold these teeny tiny little babies when the parents weren’t available and the nurses might have been busy. Do you have that at your unit?

[@laurenzappley3502]

Every hospital in my area won’t even give me the opportunity to interview for L&D, Mother/baby, NICU, OR etc. because they use the excuse they’re not “accepting new to practice nurses”.. All I dream about is to be a L&D nurse. But I guess I have to wait a few years. For now I’m a med surg nurse.

[@izabeau-f3u]

Im thinking about going into nursing myself next year in January from a community college as a RN. I want to get my CNA this fall so that is why im waiting till next yr. Giong into a speciality like you did, were you able to do that right after graduating from nursing school or did you have to wait a little

[@IrisJackson-y6u]

Where did you go to college and what degrees did you have to get. Like what did you have to have to get to be a NICU nurse?

[@garycwallace1332]

Looking good

[@mortified8855]

it’s not a blog if your talking abt what u do on ur couch

[@LeightonSanders]

I don’t have a blog. I make vlogs! This video was a little different as it had the vlog content incorporated throughout my informative explanation of what I do in a shift! It’s illegal to fully vlog my entire shift in the hospital😊

[@noamivtp]

can you become a nurse and an ultrasound tech at the same time?

[@KatieFisk-wc6dw]

I'm in Memphis and im wanting to go to Concorde to be a nicu nurse classes start in February what do you recommend?

[@mandy8273]

What level NICU is this?

[@Everyonebutmyself]

What level of NICU do you work in? Fellow NICU nurse ❤ or do you guys just level by intermediate and intensive?

[@LeightonSanders]

We’re a level 3 NICU!🩷

[@kittenti]

I kinda want to do this but I am ust so doubtful that I will do somethign wrong or won't like it which is why I switch career options so much... I think I just need someone to tell me that I can do this and it's meant for me

[@LeightonSanders]

You can do it! There’s no harm in trying - if it’s not for you then at least you can say you tried! You’re going to be great💛

[@kittenti]

@@LeightonSanders thank you so much:))

[@laurenliz2219]

Idk why I’m watching this cause I’m a Nicu nurse 😂

[@Sofia-jt5eq]

Hi do NICU nurses do a lot of blood transfusions?

[@saramulkey7022]

brbvdhvdyggey is the epitome for me as a man of color in this country and it makes my heart ♥️ 😂😂😂

[@lyndseymaclennan8809]

MY SONS NICU NURSE WAS HIS BEST FRIEND AND SECOND MOMMY UBTIL HE DIED

[@chantelcuddemi7646]

I am blind. I was born this way, due to being born three and a half months early.

[@Patricia-z1u1f]

❤

[@manishatupe692]

I'm NICU nurse in India

[@ErwinDulmin-tw5th]

MY WIFE...... MAMI... SAYANG KU... LEIGHTON SANDERS..... MAHATMA ERWIN DULMIN GANDHIJI..... MAHATMA ERWIN DULMIN GANDHIJI.....

[@Patricia-z1u1f]

❤

[@ErwinDulmin-tw5th]

MY WIFE..... MAMI.... SAYANG KU... LEIGHTON SANDERS..... MAHATMA ERWIN DULMIN GANDHIJI.... MAHATMA ERWIN DULMIN GANDHIJI....