Being A Nurse Essay

Not everyone has what it takes to be a neonatal intensive care unit nurse, because most peoples hearts are not strong enough to handle it. To deal with sick and dying infants, angry or upset parents, families who don't visit or just simply never come back for their babies, all the while the N.I.C.U nurse is watching for changes or anything that could have been missed. This is just the beginning of what a day at work is like Mrs. April Carter.

April Carter works in the N.I.C.U at Banner University Medical Center, Phoenix, when first seeing her, she looks about fifteen, parents are probably thinking this little girl is in charge of my very ill baby? She is in fact thirty-four and has been a N.I.C.U nurse for just over eight years. She has always loved people and has a special softness for children and babies, with this knowledge, she knew pediatric nursing was the best career path for her, because she can help make a difference in so many

lives, even “little tiny lives.” Most people don't realize how important nurses are; they are the ones to alert the doctors of any issues that arise, the ones to nag and push for things they think need to be done that are not, the ones to do what the doctor has ordered; if you have a bad nurse it can be the difference between life and death. These nurses work with a variety of medical complications including; premature birth, internal and external malformations, infection and newborns of drug addicts.

April spoke of the sadness that comes with the job, although she assures us the joy out way the sorrow. When she loses a baby, this is the hardest part because there is nothing that you can do to prevent it. When asked if there are babies that she bonds with more than others she said “I love all the babies, but every now and then there is one who grabs my heart just a little harder and won't let go.” These babies tend to be the ones whose parents abandoned them; “they have no loved ones, so I am theirs and they are mine.” April believes the more care and love the baby receives increase their chance of survival; she gives them all she has and knows the newborns feel it. Most of the abandoned infants issues are due to preventable things the mother or parents did while pregnant. That is one of the other hard things; to know that something bad happened and the only thing you can do is to notify the appropriate authorities and watch them closely. Another situation that gets to April is when a baby was doing very bad and has a huge improvement, then pass away a few days later. She said this is common for people of all ages; like the body knew time was almost up and wanted a few more happy moments.

Happier times, are when a baby did not have a good chance and miraculously makes it.

Another of her favorite situations is when the parents love their baby so much, no matter whether they live or die and are with the child continuously to show their baby how much they are loved. These parents see the one of a kind beauty in their infant, as a nurse these are the children, she knows have the best chance, because their parents will provide anything needed for the child to have a better quality of life. These are also, sometimes, the hardest parents to work with, they want to know everything as it happens and why it is happening; they do not always like the answers that they receive. That is why communication skills are so important, to inform people of what is taking place and why it is necessary, giving education on things they will need to do once they leave the hospital; how to use medical equipment the child may need, information on any medication, along with how to clean tubes and basic care for that baby's medical

issue.

Nurse April is a special kind of person with a job only meant only for the kind, caring, patient, persistent and lets not forget a heart so big and strong it can hold all the happiness and sorrow. To be able to deal with continuous changes and long shifts; usually twelve hours, isn't for everyone, but is definitely the right place for Mrs. Carter. She loves and cares for all the babies, no matter what the outcome will be and tries to save as many lives as possible.