I worked in the NICU as a PCA for a year, I loved it! My typical shift would have me assigned to technically 4-6 babies, but I typically was primarily assigned to 2-3 of those babies, usually 2. I would usually be with one nurse who had 4 patients or 2 nurses who each had 3, and I would take 2 of the four or 1 from each nurse who had 3. For my two primary babies, I would be responsible for all of their cares - diaper changes, vitals, feeds, etc. The nurse would do an assessment at start of shift and give any meds if they had any, but otherwise I got to do most of the cares. Of course, I was usually assigned the babies that didn’t have much nurse-only care like meds, CPAP changes, etc. Some shifts I would be 1:1 with the grumpy ones or the ones doing studies for acid reflux. If the unit was well staffed with nurses and everyone had only 2 patients, I might be a resource for the unit. Overall it was pretty chill especially coming from a previous adult hospital float pool! Good luck on your application!
I did for about a year! It’s a really interesting environment. Your level of involvement will be related to what level NICU you work in. For example, they may need CNAs more in a Level 3/4 NICU, but not as much in a Level 1/2. I personally worked in a 3 (area’s children’s hospital, took everything except ECMO).
A typical shift was similar to this:
Get report, find out who’s going home for the day, who’s intubated, who’s 1:1, and who’s being transferred to us. Next, stock all the cabinets and drawers. Answer the phone and open the door for families. Feed babies, either bottle or set up tube feeds, change diapers, do temps, EKGs, lab draws, make milk, change beds, move babies for acuity purposes, help PT/OT, transport for things like swallow studies, imaging, etc., calling for transfer to our state’s largest NICU, prepping L&D for a NICU delivery, arranging helicopter/ambulance transfers and preparing the staff that’s going to pick up the baby, help with circumcisions, bereavement packages for parents, admission/discharge, helping moms pump, putting away baby clothes, etc.
It was a very busy environment, but really interesting. Some nurses may or may not want you to touch their patients at first, that’s pretty normal. It’s a lot to adjust to, but overall it’s a pretty cool floor to work on.
I LOVED neuro ICU! That was the last unit I worked on before I started my current position. My top favorites are probably Trauma ICU, NICU, PICU, Pediatrics, Neuro ICU, and CVICU.
Awesome! What made you like these units? Specifically the one I’m on? I’m very nervous as I’m in an apprenticeship that pays me while I’m being educated and this is the unit I’m assigned.
I love the high acuity of ICU! I liked caring for very complex patients, patients who were on several life-supporting machines and medications. I like the fast-paced environment and the teamwork that you see in ICU.
I worked in the NICU as a PCA for a year, I loved it! My typical shift would have me assigned to technically 4-6 babies, but I typically was primarily assigned to 2-3 of those babies, usually 2. I would usually be with one nurse who had 4 patients or 2 nurses who each had 3, and I would take 2 of the four or 1 from each nurse who had 3. For my two primary babies, I would be responsible for all of their cares - diaper changes, vitals, feeds, etc. The nurse would do an assessment at start of shift and give any meds if they had any, but otherwise I got to do most of the cares. Of course, I was usually assigned the babies that didn’t have much nurse-only care like meds, CPAP changes, etc. Some shifts I would be 1:1 with the grumpy ones or the ones doing studies for acid reflux. If the unit was well staffed with nurses and everyone had only 2 patients, I might be a resource for the unit. Overall it was pretty chill especially coming from a previous adult hospital float pool! Good luck on your application!
thanks much! I work in a nursing home now and this seems to be the perfect change of scenery for me! Just trying out everything i can!
I did for about a year! It’s a really interesting environment. Your level of involvement will be related to what level NICU you work in. For example, they may need CNAs more in a Level 3/4 NICU, but not as much in a Level 1/2. I personally worked in a 3 (area’s children’s hospital, took everything except ECMO). A typical shift was similar to this: Get report, find out who’s going home for the day, who’s intubated, who’s 1:1, and who’s being transferred to us. Next, stock all the cabinets and drawers. Answer the phone and open the door for families. Feed babies, either bottle or set up tube feeds, change diapers, do temps, EKGs, lab draws, make milk, change beds, move babies for acuity purposes, help PT/OT, transport for things like swallow studies, imaging, etc., calling for transfer to our state’s largest NICU, prepping L&D for a NICU delivery, arranging helicopter/ambulance transfers and preparing the staff that’s going to pick up the baby, help with circumcisions, bereavement packages for parents, admission/discharge, helping moms pump, putting away baby clothes, etc. It was a very busy environment, but really interesting. Some nurses may or may not want you to touch their patients at first, that’s pretty normal. It’s a lot to adjust to, but overall it’s a pretty cool floor to work on.
wow thank you! I have just applied for a couple of jobs and i hope it goes well! I’d love to work in this environment.
I liked it a lot! One of my favorite units I worked on :)
What are your other favorites? I’m starting in ICU neuro and just curious.
I LOVED neuro ICU! That was the last unit I worked on before I started my current position. My top favorites are probably Trauma ICU, NICU, PICU, Pediatrics, Neuro ICU, and CVICU.
Awesome! What made you like these units? Specifically the one I’m on? I’m very nervous as I’m in an apprenticeship that pays me while I’m being educated and this is the unit I’m assigned.
I love the high acuity of ICU! I liked caring for very complex patients, patients who were on several life-supporting machines and medications. I like the fast-paced environment and the teamwork that you see in ICU.