+ what are some pros and cons about working in the nicu?

Pros: Variety, Acuity, Challenging procedures, Awesome stories, Amazing staff, Incredible miracles, Flexible schedule, Wearing scrubs, Educating families, Saving lives!

Cons: High stress, Working weekends and holidays, Unpredictable shifts, Minimal-to-no “thank yous”, Complaints and upset family members, Expectations are high (in tough conditions)!

+ how did you study for nclex?

I primarily used UWorld and Kaplan. If I could only pick one to spend $$ on, I would definitely pick UWorld. My nursing program basically “forced” us to register for the Kaplan review course which really wasn’t that beneficial, in my opinion. We received a Kaplan textbook, access to Kaplan’s online question bank, and an instructor-led course. I found that those questions were really weird and not reflective to those on the NCLEX. It was basically just a waste of my time and $$.

However, I loved, loved, loved UWorld! The style, content, and wording of those questions were SO SIMILAR to the ones on the NCLEX. Even the interface of the UWorld program looked identical to the NCLEX. Everyone that I know who used UWorld to prep for the NCLEX passed on their first try. I am telling you, it’s seriously the best!

I studied 7 days a week for exactly 2 months. I definitely didn’t study ALL DAY everyday, maybe like 4-6 hours/day on average. I went through at least one-75 question test a day. My goal was to go through every single practice question in the online question bank at least once, and then review each question at least once. I was able to achieve this goal and felt like it really helped me. Even when I got a question right, I still reviewed the rationale. I also took notes about the subject matter that I wasn’t super confident about. This really paid off in the end because I can honestly say that I walked out of the testing center confident that I passed my NCLEX. I immediately called my mom and told her the good news that the computer stopped me at 75-questions [which took a little over an hour]. I definitely knew in my heart, soul, and gut that I passed. Waiting 48 hours for my results was SO annoying! To give myself a peace of mind, I did the Pearson Vue trick, which was the validation and confidence booster that I needed because it wouldn’t let me reregister ♥ I understand that studying for the NCLEX is very stressful and extremely important. I was in your shoes not too long ago. Do not get discouraged! Push through the struggle and keep your eye on the prize because it will be SO worth it in the end!!!

+ I AM INTERESTED IN BLOGGING. DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS & TRICKS TO GET ME STARTED?

I am definitely not an expert by any means. However, here are my Top 6 Blogging & Social Media Tips & Tricks from one novice to another :)

1. Write for yourself first! Ignore the fact that other people will be reading your posts. Just focus on your own thoughts and ideas. For me, I just start writing and eventually the words come.
2. Be consistent & patient! Consistency & patience are some of the most important qualities that a blogger can have! Research shows that bloggers who post entries on a regular basis (at least twice a week) added subscribers twice as fast as others! And don’t expect your followers to surge overnight! Success takes time!
3. Give away your knowledge! If you have something to share, tell the world! Don’t be afraid to hold back the good stuff. That’s what your audience is wanting! What are you going to offer them that nobody else can?
4. Write down 50 topics! I once read this rule a while back. Before you start your journey, write down 50 topics, posts, ideas, thoughts, things that you want to talk about. If you can’t come up with 50, you should probably reassess your vision and start fresh with new content!
5. Research, research, research! Research everything! Find the best platform for you! Google different websites to help you create that perfect blog. Check out different resources to help you get your content! Look at accounts, people, & blogs. What do you like about them? What can you take away from them? How will you make yours unique and special?
6. Use Apps! I use a lot of apps for my posts. I love Lightroom, Canva, kirakira+, and as many Instagram story filters that I can get my hands on! And if I see something cool, I’m not afraid to reach out to the person and ask what they use! And if they don’t answer, I Google it, LOL!

+ What certifications do you need as a NICU nurse?

To work bedside (as a NICU nurse) you must have your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The BSN is becoming preferred for most positions.

After two years of working in your specialty, you can then sit for your “national certification.” The most common NICU certification is the RNC-NIC (registered nurse certification for neonatal intensive care).

I know what you’re thinking... and the answer is YES, there is another test after the NCLEX! I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but you are not done nor ever will be done with taking exams!

Nursing is all about lifelong learning and staying up-to-date on current trends and evidence based practice in your field. The learning never stops!

And adding a few more letters behind your name ain’t half bad, right?

The RNC-NIC is a certification exam that proves you REALLY know how to care for critically ill neonates and their families. The test consists of 175 questions, but only 150 of those are scored.

Eligibility requirements for this certification include BOTH of the following:

1. 2 years of work experience in the NICU
2. Completion of at least 2,000 hours (minimum)

Oh, and you must also pay $$ to not only take the test but to also maintain it & renew it just like with your RN license. An additional 15 hours of CEUs are also required every three years. I know it seems like a lot, but obtaining your national certification is SO incredibly beneficial for your own personal growth and career as a nurse. Plus, it’s super bad@$$!

Just remember that this is all about self-improvement, bettering yourself, and becoming the best nurse that you can be! We always want to strive to push ourselves to learn more. Knowledge is power and the key to success!

Ready to take the plunge? You can register for the RNC-NIC via the National Certification Corporation (NCC).

+ HELP! I AM RENEWING MY CA RN LICENSE THIS YEAR AND I NEED CEUS! CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN how this PROCESS works?

YES! RNs in the state of California are required by law to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education units (CEUs) every two years, in addition to paying the renewal fee to maintain an active license. CEU courses must be taken through a legitimate provider recognized by the Board of Registered Nursing. As most nurses realize during their careers, learning never stops. It is essential to keep up-to-date with the latest medical technologies, standardized treatment protocols, and evidence-based nursing care. A formalized way of measuring this is through CEUs. The content of all courses for CEUs must be relevant to the practice of nursing. Course material is expected to enhance the knowledge of the RN at a level above that required for licensure. Courses must be related to the scientific knowledge and/or technical skills required for the practice of nursing, or be related to direct and/or indirect patient/client care.

NEW GRADS: If you obtained your initial RN license by passing the NCLEX within the past two years and this is your first renewal, rest assured because you are exempt from the CEU requirement! However, after your second year of nursing, it’s a good idea to start researching ways to obtain the allotted CEUs. And yes, you will unfortunately have to pay for some (if not most) of the courses.

I’ve spent countless hours researching the cheapest way to acquire CEUs without breaking the bank. I have found that https://www.myfreece.com (the name is deceiving… it’s not free) is a great website that has the best bang for your buck. It costs $30 which is—in my honest opinion—a pretty great deal. However, if you are looking to save $$ and cut costs, CLICK HERE for 15 free and easy online courses!

+ What books do you recommend for those interested in pursuing the NICU?

Did you just get hired into the NICU? Are you a nursing student wanting to learn more about the NICU? Are you practicing nursing in another field and are thinking about switching to the NICU? Are you getting ready to start studying for the RNC-NIC exam? Do you need some resources because nursing school only gave you three measly slides from a PowerPoint on what the NICU entails? Rest assured because I am here to help! When I first started in the NICU, there were ZERO resources available to help me. After years of working bedside, I have learned that the following four books are the holy grail of the NICU:

1. Merenstein & Gardner's Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care (9th edition) — Are you a reader? Then this one is for you! It includes detailed evidence-based research about the NICU. If you have a question, you will definitely find the answer in this book. It's formatted like a textbook and is definitely very detailed and dense!
2. Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing — This book is more for quick references. It's short, sweet, and straight to the point. I definitely recommend it for when you are in a hurry and need to look something up on the unit super quickly.
3. The S.T.A.B.L.E. Program — Based on a mnemonic to optimize learning retention & the recollection of information, S.T.A.B.L.E. stands for Sugar, Temperature, Airway, BP, Labs, and Emotional support. It teaches you the basics of what you need to know when starting out in the NICU and is fundamental to establishing your foundation as a NICU nurse.
4. Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP) — "One and two and three and breathe!" Maintaining an active NRP license is required in order to work in the NICU. This book teaches you ALL THE THINGS you must know when it comes to NRP knowledge and skills!

+ what books do you recommend for preemie parents?

Three books that I absolutely, without a doubt, 100% recommend for parents in the NICU include the following:

1. The Premature Baby Book (by: William Sears MD) — This book does an amazing job of thoroughly covering all aspects of the NICU in terms that parents can easily understand. It explains concepts, terminology, and medical jargon very well and I 100% encourage you to purchase it!
2. Hale's Medications & Mothers' Milk (by: Thomas W. Hale PhD) — A common question that mothers will ask us bedside nurses is, “I’m currently taking ____ medication, do you know if it’s safe to breastfeed/pump while on it?” This book is very thorough & detailed and is a great resource for mothers because it covers virtually every drug but the kitchen sink!
3. Making More Milk: The Breastfeeding Guide to Increasing Your Milk Production (by: Lisa Marasco & Diana West) — I am a huge fan and advocate of this book. A very common problem that mothers face in the NICU is milk production. Hormones, emotions, and stress unfortunately can cause your milk supply to take a hit. This book does a great job of recommending and providing alternative ways to increase your milk letdown—everything from herbal galactagogues to lactation cookies to even beer, yes beer!

+ You make it look so easy! How did you do it?

I have been a NICU nurse for 3+ years. I have had the most rewarding career anyone can ask for. I am so lucky to LITERALLY save lives every day. I believe I was placed in my role for a reason.

However, my journey was anything but sunshine and rainbows. It was a STRUGGLE! Point blank—it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And that is what’s so satisfying!

Nursing school was a major challenge for me. It was a difficult transition because I was definitely NOT an “A” student. However, I knew nursing was my calling!

Healthcare and medicine do not run in my family. I do not have any family members in my immediate household who work in this field nor bedside for that matter. That said, I was pretty much on my own when it came to my studies and academics.

I am very fortunate to have been accepted into nursing school the first time that I applied. I recognize it is not always that plain and simple for most people. Several of my classmates applied three, four, five times until they were finally accepted. I believe everything happens for a reason and God definitely had a hand in this process for me.

The Guinness Book of World Records did not dub the BSN degree as the absolute toughest and hardest undergrad degree for no reason whatsoever. It is intense and rigorous, but I am here to tell you that you CAN do it! I was called to nursing, and I was NOT going to take NO for an answer!