NICU

My mother is a nurse and I watched her, with me, at a very young age, return to school and obtain her BSN. Then when I was in high school, being a typical teenage moron, witnessed my mom post operatively get up from her own bedside to help her elderly roommate to the bathroom. I knew this was who I wanted to be. I knew nothing of bodily fluids, or personal interaction with strangers… but I wanted to be so dedicated that I would do for others before myself.

My first job, I worked in long term care and developed a deep admiration for our elders. The stories, the baseball games watched,and the genuine interpersonal relationships I built with my patients and my coworkers was life changing.

I worked in Med/Surg. The time management and critical thinking were built by adapting to the ever evolving assignments. Again the coworker comradery was life changing.

I then went on to adult Intensive Care. Without the encouragement of a fellow med/surg nurse, I'd never been brave or confident enough to make the leap, but I did. And dang was I proud of all I accomplished. I obtained my CCRN and took care of surgical, cardiac, neuro, and general (which is literally all of that AND everything in between) patients. I was competent and was in every role I could be. RRT, Charge, bedside, etc… I loved them all. I was respected as an expert *crazy I know* Haha. I love and pray for these men and women every day. We were close as can be and I admire the Hell out of them for continuing the work, especially now.

Then for reasons unnecessary to get into, I needed a change. I chose NICU. In high school I shadowed an hour with a nurse… she walked us through Stony Brook Hospital's NICU. There were crazy blue lights everywhere and a nurse walked over and showed us a baby that could fit in her 2 hands. I was awestruck. And terrified. How could something so small survive?? Never in a million years would I ever see myself putting an IV in a baby.. or a 25 week gestation, baby. And yet here I am. Having made literally one of the best decisions of my life and loving every day of it!! My coworkers are amazing and seriously….no cuter patients and the families… oh the families. The one reason most nurses resist pediatrics is because they're afraid of parents…. I embrace it. I see a parent and I am beyond touched to be part of their story. No one expects NICU, but here they are. The strength and emotional fortitude they have is unbelievable. Even the parents who lash out, I get it… and I'll embrace you too. And the tiny miracles…. I can't put into words the ability they have to overcome so much, it's incredible and inspiring. They fight for each breath. Now some sound like a baby doll, some like a cat who's tail been stepped on… but they're all beautiful and worthy of my every last effort. I obtained my certification last April for RNC-NIC and I'm fairly confident it'll be my last certification because I found HOME.