WHAT DOES A NICU NURSE DO?
Administers medications that have been prescribed by neonatologists (IV, PO, PR, IM, SQ)
Coordinates the plan of care through assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing interventions that lead to the established outcomes.
Collaborates with ALL ancillary staff and team members assigned to the patient
Assists with diagnostic imaging (CXR, ECHO, ultrasounds, etc.)
Manages medical treatment at the bedside (phototherapy, silos, pavlik harnesses, etc.)
Assists with central line placements and dressing changes
Assists with bedside procedures (LPs, intubations, extubations, chest tube placement, etc.)
Starts IVs and draws their own labs! (UACs, PICC, venous draws, heel sticks)
Manages care of central lines (sterile cap and line changes)
Places and manages enteral feeding tubes (NG, OG, etc.)
Monitors UOP/Is & Os and inserts and manages urinary catheters as needed (in-n-out cathing, foley catheters)
Provides pre-op and post-op care to the infant...Our babies leave directly from & return directly to the NICU before/after surgery.
Cares for new surgical sites (tracheostomies, gastrostomy tubes, ostomies, etc.)
Serves as the patient’s and parents’ advocate & voices concerns to the respective personnel
Performs all of their own ADLs, assessments, vital signs (feeds, diaper changes, etc.)
Supports and encourages mothers with breastfeeding and pumping
Educates parents on EVERYTHING and provides emotional support PRN
Serves on the forefront of family-centered care by providing ongoing education DAILY and actively involving families in the care of the neonate.
Ensures patients and parents are ready for discharge by performing routine vaccine administration (shots! shots! shots!), car seat challenges, medication education, formula/fortification teaching, etc.
Fellow NICU RNs, am I missing anything from the list?!?! LMK!