#WhatShouldWeCallNICUNursing

• Question: Hello! Im 14 years old & Ive decided that I want to be a NICU Nurse about a year ago. I stumbled across your blog and it has only motivated me more to work harder in school. My only problem is that I can be very sensitive at times and everyone says Id never be able to work this job because of how I would react to losing a baby. My response is always "I know it will happen at least once but the point is I gave it all I had and not every baby can be saved." Is what Im saying true in your opinion? - Anonymous
• Answer:

  Hello!

  That’s amazing that you want to be a nurse in the NICU! 14 is about the same time that I first dreamt of working with these very special babies.

  I’ve received several questions of late similar to this so I’m going to try to answer your question and hit a point or two on the others.  It’s a heavy question, and one that nurses who have been doing this much longer than I still struggle with.

  When a baby dies, it is, of course, very sad. Whether it is expected or not, whether a baby suffered for a long time and we all saw its death inevitable or it got sick very quickly, it remains hard.

  Many of us cry. We cry with the families and the nurses and the doctors and everyone who works tirelessly to give each life the best chance we can. And then you put those feelings aside to assist the family through their grief.

  Being “sensitive” is not the issue, nor is it something that should automatically be used as a disqualifier to work this job in my opinion. (I was a “very sensitive” child too.) We all strive to be sensitive to our patient’s needs, and the needs of the baby’s family. Only you can know whether or not this is the job for you.

  I am amazed constantly at the resiliency of our patients. I have discharged babies into hospice care that are still alive and bringing joy to their families for months to come after the time we thought they would have passed.

  I have taken care of babies who have literally coded every shift and have been discharged remarkably healthy and very happy.

  Death is not as common in the NICU as one might think. I work in a Level III NICU which does see the sickest of the sick, but even then the majority of our patients have favorable outcomes.

  The first time you see a baby die, or do bereavement care, will stay with you for a very long time. And until you have that experience no one can define how you will cope. But in the end one of two things will happen:

  One: You’ll process your emotions and come back the next day ready to give all you have to the next patient.

  Two: You won’t. You’ll decide that you can’t work with this population and move on.

  The important thing to note is that neither of those responses are bad. The NICU is specialized and unique. As are dozens of other nursing specialties out there. The great thing about nursing is that you have choices. And if you try the NICU and it’s not for you, you try something else until you find your fit.

  I hope that helps. And as always, I’m only one nurse. Only one viewpoint. If you think you’re interested in nursing and the NICU, find out if your local hospital offers volunteer opportunities, or chances to come in and do an observation. Seeing it first hand and talking to lots (and lots!) of different nurses will help.

  Thanks for asking your question!

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• Question: Love, love LOVE your posts!! I can definitely relate to them, and have already experienced many of them in my five months as a NICU nurse. Thanks for the smiles :) - Anonymous
• Answer:

  Super glad to bring smiles to anyone’s face! :)