I have known from an early age that I’ve wanted to become a doctor. Helping people has always been a passion of mine. When I was younger, I wanted to be a veterinarian. However, after working with young children I have found that I love working with them, and have a connection with children. Currently, I am interested in becoming either a neonatologist or a general pediatrician so I can continue to work with young children. Most commonly, neonatologists work in a hospital under stressful conditions and long, unpredictable hours. The median salary for a neonatologist in Grand Rapids is around $220,000 (Salary Wizard). The characteristics a desirable neonatologist should possess are excellent communication skills, strong leadership abilities, and the ability to work well under stress. He or she should also be empathetic and passionate for helping others (Miller, 2010). A neonatologist has many tasks and responsibilities before, during, and after the birth of an at-risk newborn. If there is reason to believe there are going to be complications with a birth that would cause negative side effects for the infant, a neonatologist will be brought in to help. In these high-risk situations, a team effort is required and the neonatologist takes the lead position. The neonatologist will be responsible for advising the parents on what to expect during and after labor. After the infant is born, the neonatologist has to find a method to properly care for the baby. Because most premature babies have a low birth-weight, their lungs need to be supported and they need to be kept warm. During this whole process, the neonatologist interacts with the parents to keep them updated on their baby’s condition (Weaver, 2009). I am intere... ... middle of paper ... ...ttp://www.work.chron.com Miller, A. (2010). What are some personal qualities & abilities needed for being a neonatologist?. Retrieved from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com Santiago, A. (2009). Become a pediatrician. Retrieved from http://www.healthcareers.about.com Stoppard, M. (February 27, 2014). Premature baby warning will give reassurance to worried women and relieve anxiety. Retrieved from http://www.mirror.co/uk/lifestyle/health Weaver, M. (2009). Neonatologist’s job description. Retrieved from http://www.eHow.com (2009). Pediatrician. Retrieved from http://healthcarecareers.org/pediatrician (March 29, 2013). Occupational employment and wages, May 2012, pediatrics, general. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov (April 4, 2013). iPads help new moms bond with their infants in the neonatal intensive Care unit. Retrieved from http://www.cedars-sinai.edu
This allows the nurse to assess the patient’s pain and suffering related to the treatment plan in place (Settle, 2014). The ability to communicate well is essential for ethical decision making in the NICU (Monterosso et al., 2005). Nurses play a big role in supporting the parents while their child is in the NICU. Showing compassion and demonstrating caring actions when caring for the patient makes it more likely that the parents will trust the nurse and the information the nurse gives them regarding their child’s condition. This trust is important as it helps the parents feel confident in the decisions they are making about their child’s care. When the parents of an ill child in the NICU have decided to terminate treatment palliative care by the nurse and other healthcare providers comes into play. Palliative care is keeping the child comfortable by treating the symptoms and being there for the parents and child physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Eden & Callister, 2010). The patient and family should be placed in a private room that is dimly lit and has minimal noise. There should be enough room to accommodate other family members as well. All unnecessary medical equipment such as ventilators and monitors should be removed from the patient. IV access should remain in place to give adequate medication for pain. Supplemental
Mphahlele, R. R. (2007). Caring for premature babies - a clinical guide for nurses. Professional Nursing Today, 11(1), 40-46.
The journal associated with this organization is Advances in Neonatal Care. This information was established through the website and the Co- Editors ...
Neonatal nursing is a field of nursing designed especially for both newborns and infants up to 28 days old. The term neonatal comes from neo, "new", and natal, "pertaining to birth or origin”. Neonatal nurses are a vital part of the neonatal care team. These are trained professionals who concentrate on ensuring that the newborn infants under their care are able to survive whatever potential life threatening event they encounter. They treat infants that are born with a variety of life threatening issues that include instances of prematurity, congenital birth defects, surgery related problems, cardiac malformations, severe burns, or acute infection. Neonatal care in hospitals was always done by the nursing staff but it did not officially become a specialized medical field until well into 1960s. This was due to the numerous advancements in both medical care training and related technology that allowed for the improved treatment and survival rate of premature babies. According to the March of Dimes, one of every thirteen babies born in the United States annually suffers from low birth weight. This is a leading cause in 65% of infant deaths. Therefore, nurses play a very important role in providing round the clock care for these infants, those born with birth defects or other life threatening illness. In addition, these nurses also tend to healthy babies while their mothers recover from the birthing process. Prior to the advent of this specialized nursing field at risk newborn infants were mostly cared for by obstetricians and midwives who had limited resources to help them survive (Meeks 3).
There are more than 70% of premature babies that are born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation a year. When a baby is born early, or born with birth defects, the Neonatal Intensive Care unit is its first home. The nurse’s in the NICU have the difficult job of preparing baby’s and parents for a health life together. A baby who has been put into the NICU will stay there until it is healthy enough to go home.
Neonatal nursing is a very challenging field which requires a lot of education before you can become certified. A person’s education has to be backed up by many certifications before even coming close to holding a baby. The expert has the job of supporting loved ones of the infant while they are feeling upset or overwhelmed. Also the expert has the responsibility of showing parents how to properly care for their infant.
The whole perspective of a child being in intensive care is hard, and especially for parents who do not know how to handle the situation of having their newborn baby in intensive care. There are many challenges that parents face; facing emotional problems is the biggest challenge. Not knowing how to handle the whole situation of seeing their new born child in a situation like intensive care is pretty hard. It is pretty intimidating and not being to take care and be able to hold their baby all day like they would want to, is also hard. Parents face high levels of distress, anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms. Mothers have a harder time dealing with their emotions. They carried their baby inside them for several months, have felt the kicks and the movements, and they often feel like a failure feeling guilt and shame. A mother wants the best for their baby and they often think that their baby will have complications with growth and development, and often blaming themselves for giving birth to an unhealthy baby wondering what they could have done differently. Because of the parents stress and anxiety of not knowing what will happen, there is an inability to preform a normal parenting role. Perhaps the best way for parents to be able to relax and be more helpful to their babies is to move on from the situation and only look forward the health of the child. Parents also loose one of the best memories they wish they could keep fo...
Emily is a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse of 11 years. Emily routinely provides care for babies as small as 800 grams (about 1 and ¾ pounds), babies born with drug addictions, and the routine twins and triplets born as a result of fertility medications and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). As a strong Christian woman, Emily wasn't sure she could fulfill the tasks required of her when she first came on. Nor did she think she could cope with the occasional “expiration” of a young life. However, after more than a decade, Emily continues to provide exemplary care to babies, and parents alike, in the first few weeks and months of life. Throughout her decade long career, Emily has seen much change and continues to see the landscape transform within her small part of the nursing community.
There are many degrees of Neonatal services in the hospital setting. Level one usually cares for healthy infants. These types of facilities are not really seen around the United States since they do not spend a lot of time in the hospital. They mainly spend their time with the parent or parents of the child. Level two handles the premature babies that need intermediate care such as extra time in the hospital or may require some special therapy. Level Three handles premature babies that may require special equipment to help them function on the basic fundamentals needed for life. Some examples of this would be a ventilator, feeding tubes, or surgeries. (Healthier for
There are are many different careers in the medical world, my favorite being a pediatrician. I have always loved being around little kids and making them laugh which is one of the main reasons why I want to be a pediatrician. I’ve wanted to be a pediatrician since I was 11 years old; many of my friends would laugh because they didn’t think I was capable of becoming a doctor, but like my mom says “when you want something, don’t give up until you have it”. A pediatrician is a doctor who treats infants,children, and young adults. They diagnose and treat diseases, injuries and much more(asthma, allergies,etc). But being a pediatrician requires so much dedication and hard work , and I know it’s not going to be easy but I’m willing to do it.
To become a neonatal nurse is a privilege within itself. Not only does one experience the satisfaction of newborn life between parent and child, but also being a supportive care brings a sense of purpose and importance to the individual. Neonatology provides considerate responsibility for infants of new mothers. From tracking the baby’s heart rate, to being an emotional and sympathetic support to parental authorities, leave these nurses with great obligations. Without the preferred education and nursing experience required, nurses may not specialize in neonatology. Nurses must acquire registered nurse experience as well as any desired college accomplishments.
“Neonatal nursing is a subspecialty of nursing that works with newborn infants born with a variety of problems ranging from prematurity, birth defects, infection, cardiac malformations, and surgical problems.” A neonatal nurse takes care of newborn children born with problems. The nurse will normally take care of the child for the first month of birth; however, some children can be sick for months. Three related job titles to a neonatal nurse will be a perinatal nurse, who helps women during pregnancy to assure a healthy child, a prenatal nurse, who helps deliver the child, and lastly a pediatrician, who cares for the child until he/she turns 18.
When babies are delivered in the hospital, there is a usual sequence of events that happen to ensure a safe and successful delivery. The mother goes into labor, healthcare professionals prepare themselves and the mother to deliver the baby and finally after minutes or hours of coaching and appropriate exercises the baby is born and introduced to their new environment. Before the parents can have any contact with the newborn, nurses will characteristically whisk the baby away to check for presence of important reflexes, abnormalities, and wipe away the birth materials such as vernix. After completion of these required tasks, the baby is then presented to the parents wrapped up like a shiny, new gift on Christmas day. Sometimes the baby and
a) For many years now I have aspired to be a Pediatrician. My mother is a radiologist technologist so I’ve grown up around the medical field. From an early age, medicine and science struck my interest and they are both subjects I am very passionate about learning. I love helping people, especially kids, which is why I have chosen to pursue this career field. I truly want to make a difference in modern medicine and become the best health care provider I can be.
In the year 1975 neonatology became official. The American Board of Pediatrics recognized neonatology, it is now formally called it Neonatal-Prenatal Medicine, through the formation of the Sub-board of NPM also by administering the first certification examination in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. In the same year, the American Academy of Pediatrics introduced the Section on Perinatal Pediatrics as the medical home for specialists in this field. At first, to be eligible for the examination, the American Board of Pediatrics would required individuals to document either 5 years of practice...