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What’s the best part of being an nicu nurse?
I would like to be an nicu nurse but want to know more details. #nicu #nurse #nursing
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Connie’s Answer
The best part about being a NICU nurse is all of it. Its the hope and comfort you can bring to a family. To watch someone so small with so much fight and persistence get better and overcome premature entry into the world is nothing short of amazing. You become an avenue for parents to learn how to heal from the trauma of starting life in a NICU. The parents become a part of your healthcare team. Agreed, there is nothing better than NICU reunion day. You get to see "where are they now?" Especially the tough cases that now you can't even believe they were ever a premie. It's exciting to be a part of saving a life, that many counted down and out at birth. There are of course losses. Be sure you have a good team to debrief with on the tough days. Anytime you work with infants, especially premies; losing one after months together becoming a part of the family's network and life line is tough. Even then, it is a success story in a way. You get to look back at the joy you gave the family even if it was just a few weeks, a few days, a few hours or even a few minutes to spend with their new baby. You provided comfort and dignity for all of them even in loss. It will always be appreciated in the long term, even if it doesn't feel like it in the moment.
Next steps, think about volunteering in a hospital nursery or post partum floor as a baby rocker. Or ask about a career day, to go in and see first hand what we do and what you think.
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Jeff’s Answer
The best part of being a NICU nurse is seeing sick babies return to health. You get to personally care for new babies that need extra care to survive. You are generally assigned to one baby the entire time they are in the NICU. You get to form a strong bond with not only the baby, but with the family as well. In some cases there is a reunion when a child you care for will visit the NICU many years later. You get to see how they have developed and grown over the years.