A neonatal nurse is a registered nurse (RN) that works in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and assesses, monitors, and cares for medically fragile newborns. Some NICU RNs are licensed with an ADN, BSN, or advanced degree. In some cases, NICU nurses may care for medically complex infants up to one year of age.
Like other critical care areas of nursing, this department is highly specialized, fast paced, and yes, stressful. These infants are born with a variety of health challenges including prematurity, birth defects, chromosomal anomalies, infections, cardiac malformations, surgical problems, etc. NICU nurses will typically care for infants from birth until they are discharged home from the hospital. They care for newborns who need around-the-clock attention. In order to provide such expansive and dedicated care, NICU nurses typically work 12-hour shifts that include nights, weekends, and holidays. We can legally care for one to three babies during our shift depending on their complexity and acuity. Contrary to popular belief, it is SO MUCH MORE than just “cuddling with babies all day.”
The reality is, being a NICU nurse is HARD. We DON’T just work “3 days a week.”
You get drained easily. No, you’re not physically lifting and turning heavy patients like on the “floors” or adult ICU units. The NICU is mentally and emotionally exhausting to the point where sometimes you need to just step away, take a vacation, and enjoy some time for yourself.
You miss birthdays, holidays, weekends, sleep and sanity. But on the flipside, it’s very rewarding. Knowing that you are making a HUGE impact on the lives of others is such an incredible feeling. The benefits definitely outweigh the cons that this profession might have. All of the sleepless nights and draining assignments are so worth it because you get to nurture, heal, and be a part of a wonderful collaborative team whose main priority is to save babies! How cool is that?! I may be biased, but neonatal nursing is honestly the best!
What do you do? Why do you do it? How did you choose your specialty?