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Why I Want to Be a NICU Nurse

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurseries are some of the most demanding and rewarding occupations that a nurse can have. NICU nurses are usually Registered Nurses (RNs) that specialize in the care of newborns with medical complications and/or those who may require special care or monitoring. NICU nurses experience the most rewarding of events, the birthing process of a child from an newborn’s very first breath of life. By being a NICU nurse, I feel like it gives me the opportunity to make an incredible, meaningful impact in the lives of newborn babies and their families.

What does it take to be a NICU Nurse?

NICU nurses understand that a certain level of skill, knowledge, and commitment is necessary for a successful NICU nurse. It requires an understanding of pharmacology, a greater understanding of medical procedures, as well as the ability to work with medical teams, all while providing emotional support to parents. NICU nurses must also have a deep understanding of neonatal resuscitation, and all aspects of neonatal intensive care.

NICU nurses need to be compassionate and understand the physical and emotional complexity of the job. They often work long hours providing vital care to fragile newborns and must be able to handle difficult situations in a professional, confident manner. It is imperative that NICU nurses have the ability to multi-task under stressful situations such as the code blues.

The Benefits of Being a NICU Nurse

Becoming a NICU Nurse has immense rewards. The most obvious and immediate benefit is that you can have a career that is both mentally and physically rewarding. Watching these precious lives fight for their right to live, day in and day out, is an experience that no other task can match. A NICU nurse experiences the joy of being part of a team that works together to help save a baby’s life.

Not only are there the physical rewards, but NICU nurses also benefit from the emotional rewards. As NICU nurses get to know the families and form relationships with them, being a NICU nurse can be very emotionally rewarding. Many NICU nurses mention how rewarding it is to watch babes grow and heal from the weakest of beginnings in their beginnings of life.

NICU nurses are well versed in quick thinking and decision making. In critical moments, NICU nurses need to be able to recognize and manage complex symptoms of a newborn quickly. The skills that NICU nurses learn in the ICU can also apply in a variety of other nursing arenas as well.

NICU Nurses Have Special Challenges

Although being a NICU nurse has its rewards, it also comes with some challenges. Even with the most advanced technology, NICU nurses face ethical issues that have to be addressed, such as withdrawing treatments or providing end-of-life care. In addition, NICU nurses must cope with the emotional stress of providing end-of-life care, and the possible death of a baby in their care.

NICU nurses also typically face more acutely ill babies than in any other area of nursing. The jobs of NICU nurses require them to monitor newborns carefully. Additionally, due to short shifts, NICU nurses often have to work off-schedule and attend to more than one baby in their care.

FAQ

Q: What qualities should a NICU nurse have?

A: A NICU nurse should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to work with a variety of medical teams, knowledge of pharmacology and advanced medical procedures, and a deep understanding of neonatal resuscitation and neonatal intensive care. They should also demonstrate compassion, quick thinking, decision making, and the ability to manage complex symptoms quickly.

Q: Is being a NICU nurse emotionally rewarding?

A: Yes. NICU nurses get the opportunity to form relationships with families and witness the resilience of newborns in the face of immense struggle. Seeing these precious lives fight for their right to live is a truly rewarding experience.

Q: Are there any challenges NICU nurses must face?

A: Yes. NICU nurses must sometimes face complex ethical issues, emotional stress, and the possibility of death of the baby in their care. Additionally, due to short shifts, NICU nurses often have to work off-schedule and attend to more than one baby in their care.

Conclusion

Being a NICU nurse is a demanding and rewarding job, one I am eager to have the opportunity to experience. The knowledge and experience I would gain, as well as the opportunity to make an impact in the lives of newborns and their families, is something I am deeply passionate about. Becoming a NICU nurse is a career path I am confident would be incredibly rewarding for me on both a professional and personal level.

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