What to expect in the NICU | NICU Questions Answered by NICU RN | NICU Awareness

[@larwuoharris726]

Thanks for this interview. I'm a NICU mother. My baby was born @24weks @1.6lboz. We were in the NICU from Feb -Dec 2017. It was a long road of ups and downs. Big thumbs up the NICU nurses; you are special ❤

[@gymnaastxoxo]

Last year, I left the sicu for the nicu.. its crazy to think its almost been one year. Time files when you are having fun!! i've wanted a nicu job since I was about 16 and sometimes I still walk onto the unit pinching myself, so surreal even still! I went from a nicu baby to a level 4 nicu nurse! :)

[@MsRhandaB]

Love this! I’m a NICU nurse and he explained everything PERFECTLY. Thanks for celebrating Neonatal Awareness this month with this video!

[@jcastil7]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@stephenmc8271]

Well, I've taken the exams for the 2nd time now and still didn't succeed, i wonder how those who succeeded did it. 😭💔

[@lorientheresa4844]

Just say "I haven't passed yet." Don't take it as a failure but see it as a learning opportunity. There is a lot of power in "Yet"; you are telling yourself that you will get there and that your eyes and heart are still fixed on your goal.

[@marykings2894]

So sorry to hear you guys complain of failing the exam. But I will assure you that NICU Exams won't be a problem to you anymore,if you work with someone like MRS CATHERINA ALISON

[@rhondaaceret2524]

After using different review Materials I still fail the exam twice , I never knew i could ever pass the NICU, but today I’m very happy, I just passed my NICU on my second attempt with a great help from MRS CATHERINA ALISON

[@aprilkalinka]

I am a nicu mom. It has been 7 week + 4 days and my baby is still in the northwestern nicu. I learned a lot from this video. Thanks a lot!

[@laurenliz2219]

Just accepted a position in the new grad residency program for a level 4 NICU. I’m very nervous, but definitely more excited. I needed this video❤️❤️ thank you!!

[@jennayates7572]

Wow, that’s awesome! I’m 10 months away from graduating my program. I’m really hoping to get into that as well.

[@ashleys8855]

Wish I’d found this a little sooner, but glad I stumbled upon it. My baby was born at 25weeks, SIUGR, and has been in the hospital for 4.5 months now. Thanks for the info.

[@kellyrodriguez8866]

Accepted a position in a level 3 NICU a few weeks ago as a new grad!! SO excited and loved this video!

[@tarakoch2162]

How’s it going working in the NICU?

[@ngassant1207]

❤love to work as nicu nurse this is my passion

[@torismith5088]

I want to work in the NICU so bad! Currently, I live too rural to have access to a NICU job. But, this was an amazing video. Planning to move and be close to a NICU and this just helps validate my passions for the specialty!

[@tinaelliott]

I want to be a NICU nurse…. So much respect for NICU nurses. ❤

[@Sara-md8nu]

I'm in nursing school and plan on doing med surg for a few years then transferring to the NICU. My son was born at 31 weeks and spent 5 weeks in the nicu. Those nurses were wonderful and were there when I couldn't be, holding/ rocking my little guy. I want to give back

[@ConnieLeFan]

Just for any nursing students who happen to see this, you don't always have to start your career in a different area, like med-surge, and then apply to transfer to a NICU. Some hospitals will hire new grad nurses to train from day one in the NICU in a residency program. Usually they start you on the healtier level 2 babies, then slowly train you to care for the sicker level 3, and if covered, the sickest level 4 babies. Just be aware that it will be daunting and often completely overwhelming, as it is a very difficult specialty, but over time, you will be able to grow more confident in your skills and won't be so stressed out, but it will take time to feel more confident. Plus, it is nir the best to choose NICU if you dream of being a higher paid travel nurse someday, as there will not be enough NICU travel openings to guarantee you will always be able to find a job when you want one, especially if you only ever worked in the NICU and won't be able to accept other positions in other units, as you won't have the required years of experience in any other completely different unit. Just something to think about if travel nursing is something you hope to peruse full time some day.

[@JennyMac2012]

It’s interesting to hear how differently they do things. I also work in a level 3 NICU and we do things very differently.

[@NurseLiz]

I’d love to hear some of the differences!

[@Karla4040]

Just applied for capstone and my first choice was NICU! Thank you for this video! Very informative!

[@literallyallicouldthinkof]

The only thing missing that I wanted you to touch on is the social work aspect I guess. Or conflict of interest aspect. Dealing with upsetting situations particularly when you’re advocating for a patient that has no voice, completely reliant on your care. For instance drug addicted babies, incapable/uninvolved parents, denying care due to religious reasons. What do you do? How does it usually play out?

[@NurseLiz]

That's definitely something we plan on addressing in our video aimed at nurses and those who would like to work in the NICU. Thanks for bringing those topics up!

[@jcastil7]

We can definitely discuss this next time! We answered or discussed topics based on what people wrote in to Liz, but I’d be happy to go more into this topic.

[@nataliemarie4325]

I'm in nursing school not necessarily interested in the NICU but this was very informative, thank you!! xo

[@alexahahn4877]

Can’t wait to hear more about how he got into the NICU as his first nursing job. I am hoping to do the same and graduate in early December. Thanks for this informative video!

[@jcastil7]

You’re welcome to message me on IG, Alexa! I’d be happy to speak with you about it. 😄

[@zoecook4040]

i cant wait to be a nicu nurse!!!!

[@literallyallicouldthinkof]

Thank you! Perfect timing. Been wondering if I should work in the NICU. Love your videos. 🩺💉🩹❤️

[@Marilynefc]

Just in time! I start my new job in the NICU soon 😍

[@jcastil7]

I hope you love it!

[@jessicarose2563]

Did you ever do that video with Josh about how he started in the NICU right out of school? I can't seem to find it!

[@jcastil7]

I did a podcast episode with Amanda from The Resume Rx on her podcast about how I got into the NICU as a new grad!

[@haleyfalk1193]

I want to be a NICU nurse so badly lol that’s my dream!

[@jcastil7]

You can definitely make it happen!

[@claudetteallen5309]

@@jcastil7 It seems difficult to get a job in nicu. I have peds experience with trach, vent gtube and had an interview for nicu but no call back yet

[@jcastil7]

@@claudetteallen5309 I’m sorry to hear that! I got hired as a new grad with no experience. There are a number of factors that may influence whether or not someone gets a call back. Hopefully, you hear something soon!

[@claudetteallen5309]

@@jcastil7 What are some factors that determine that?

[@jcastil7]

@@claudetteallen5309 How you answer your interview questions, whether they feel your personality will mesh well with the culture of the unit, the qualifications of other candidates, etc.

[@jarquiseedwards6011]

I’m a new nicu mom and my son is on oxygen born at 37 week peak he’s 5.14 and I cried so hard leaving him today 😥😥

[@seisies-mama]

How is your son doing now

[@aheilman6]

Thx. I’m thinking of working the NICU.

[@elit9868]

I would love to go home but they treat baby’s like animals so yeah I been staying for 14-16 hrs a day !!! Day 13 I feel like I’m dying but my baby comes first.

[@kaylinde2321]

So sorry to hear this. My baby is also in the nicu and I don’t feel confident in some of the nurses there, I can’t stand being away from my baby and it’s so hard

[@sarahwoodward4931]

I waited 20+ days to hold my 35 weeker

[@NurseLiz]

oh my gosh. That must have been torture. I hope everyone is doing well now

[@kaylinde2321]

So sorry to hear that 😢

[@Ashleydrupp]

I'm on day 6 and dying

[@b.freeman2118]

@@Ashleydrupp oh wow why you say that?

[@sweetcandyyams]

I’m on day 22 for my 24 weeker 😢

[@somethingcleverrrr]

I hated having my baby in the NICU and the entitlement of these nurses who acted like my baby was their baby. It was especially frustrating to me as my daughter was full term, there was really no reason for us not to be able to hold her. Luckily she is now almost 4 but I hope like hell to never experience this again. Honestly listening to this guy just confirms for me that they all feel like they are the parents of the babies in there, instead of the actual parents. Ugh I hate modern medicine. 🙄