The Skills Needed for NICU Nurses
The NICU is the neonatal intensive care unit, which cares for newborn children less than 28 days old. The neonatal units are broken down into three levels ranging from perfectly healthy babies to seriously ill newborns. NICU nurses typically work in level III, which are for the seriously ill. The skills a NICU nurse must possess will determine her success or failure.
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Organization and Record Keeping
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Much of a neonatal nurses duties include keeping records, making observations and monitoring patients. The neonatal nurse must be very organized so that this information can be passed along to doctors and family members as needed. The hospital must be aware of any symptoms, tests and treatments each patient has received.
Communication Skills
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A neonatal nurse must have solid communication skills. Nurses must be able to communicate with families whose babies are sick. The nurse must convey important information such as treatments and other instructions to help the family members be successful when they take their child home. Nurses must also be able to communicate effectively with other staff such as pediatricians, neonatalogists and other nurses about important information regarding patients.
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Deal With Emotions
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A neonatal nurse must be able to handle the emotional stresses of dealing with sick or dying children. The nurse will also come into contact with family members who need a professional who can help them wade through a very difficult and stressful time in their lives. A neonatal nurse must be strong and help others through trying times.
Good Decision Maker
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Neonatal nurses must exhibit good decision making skills. The nurse is the first line of defense when a child is in need. The neonatal nurse must often make quick decisions, which may be the difference between life and death for some children.
Educational Requirements
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A nurse wanting to work in the NICU for most hospitals must have completed a bachelor's program and all state-required testing to become a registered nurse, or RN. There are no educational requirements to specifically work in the NICU, but many hospitals will require additional specialized training or previous experience working in neonatal care.
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References
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