Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses care for premature and critically ill newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a hospital. These babies are born needing immediate medical attention, so Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses connect them to technology that helps them breathe and allows them to be fed intravenously, so they can gain weight. As a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse, you’ll work under the direction of a physician, caring for the newborn, and helping to educate their new mothers about their baby’s condition, breastfeeding, and answering their questions.
A typical day will range from basic newborn care to monitoring seriously ill patients. NICU units operate 24/7, so most nurses work 12-hour shifts, which include some nights and weekends.
Depending on the status of the patients and how many babies are born in a given period of time, NICU nurses usually work with just a few infants at a time. If there are serious medical issues, the more experienced NICU nurses in a team might focus on just one or two cases.
Strong communication skills and a calm, empathetic demeanor are key. In addition, because the patients are so tiny and even the smallest error can be life-threatening, a precise attention to detail cannot be understated.
Must have experience working level two and level one neonatal infants. Provide well being and pediatric instruction including breastfeeding techniques. Must have experience in Labor and Delivery Nursing.
Certifications requires: BLS, ACLS, NPR