NICU Nurses Shared What They Want Parents to Know — and Try Not to Tear Up

"There won't always be easy days for the nurse, the patient, or the family, but knowing you are there supporting and caring for them helps everyone keep going. And before you know it, the little 26-week-old baby you've been taking care of for weeks is able to go home. Throughout that time, you have worked so closely with the patient and family that they become family. It is one of your proudest moments as a nurse." — Brittany Bennett, New York Presbyterian Weill-Cornell Medical Center

"Many people think we just play with babies all day, but in reality, we have to draw blood from our patients, put in IVs and feeding tubes and even insert tubes into their lungs to ventilate them. It's not for faint of heart!" — Melanie Feretich, Toms River Hospital's Community Medical Center

"We really and truly care for your baby and want what is best for them. So much so that we often take our 'work' home with us. It's common for us to worry about our patients on our days off from the day before. Sometimes we call in to see how they're doing. I know it may seem like this is just our job, but it really is so much more than that to us." — Emily Forbes, Orlando Health's Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies

"Every NICU nurse will tell parents that their experience will be a roller-coaster ride filled with highs and lows. You think everything is going great then the baby takes two steps back. It doesn't always happen but be prepared if it does." — Melanie Feretich

"The biggest motivation for me is the satisfaction I get from helping scared moms and dads navigate the NICU. No one ever thinks their baby is going to end up there. It's frightening and bewildering. When you can see a mother visibly relax when you come in the room, you know you are doing your job." — Terri Morrison, Orlando Health's Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies

"Take it day by day and trust the process. Every provider involved in the care of their baby is skilled and professional. When times get tough, parents sometimes doubt those caring for their baby in their most vulnerable moments, just hold on and know that everything we're doing is in the baby's best interest. This isn't always easy or realistic in some circumstances, but giving parents the peace of mind that their baby is in the best hands is comforting to them." — Jaclyn Medernach, Children's Hospital Colorado

"A very hard aspect of nursing in general is the hours that we work. Not so much the 12-hour shifts — though the hours are long — but more so the weekends and holidays. We often miss family events because a NICU never closes. Although it's something that can't changed, it's definitely a sacrifice we make as nurses." — Emily Forbes

"Stay positive! Your little one will really sense your negative energy. It's definitely an emotional and challenging environment, but don't let it get the best of you! You can only take care of your baby if you take care of yourself. Take it day by day — or shift by shift even! — but keep those positive thoughts coming and know the nurses are always there to help you!" — Brittany Bennett

"When things turn the corner in the NICU — whether that be good or bad — it happens QUICK! You have to be prepared for anything. The stress level can be unbearable at times, but there's a saying, 'NICU nurses die NICU nurses,' so if you are truly a NICU nurse, that will be where you stay! I know I will never leave this specialty." — Kelly Jasinkiewicz

"It's a lot of pressure with around-the-clock monitoring to ensure all the medication dosages are accurate since they're precisely weight-based in kilograms. We double- and triple-check critical medication doses. Grace under pressure is a theme for NICU nurses!" — Terri Morrison

"Many people don't know about all the education that goes into becoming a nurse. Nursing school was a few of the most difficult years of my life. Since passing nursing school and taking my boards, I have also earned additional certifications in neonatal nursing and work hard to stay up to date on current literature and studies. Neonatology, like medicine in general, is constantly evolving and changing. My unit strives to provide the best evidence-based care to our patients, which takes a lot of extra work on our part." — Emily Forbes

"One of the most challenging aspects of our job would be not crying when bad outcomes happen and for sure not judging people. We have so many drug-withdrawal babies. We can't judge, we can only help. I have to say the way I get through a difficult shift is through talking with my fellow nurses and doctors — we're like a family." — Melanie Feretich

"There is nothing like sending a little one home from the NICU! When nurses at my hospital have cared for a baby long-term, their going home day — or graduation day — is a celebration. We often come in on our days off to celebrate them and help see them off. I hope parents know that we don't forget them when they walk out of the NICU. We carry their journeys with us. I have learned many lessons from those little fighters and treasure the friendships I've made with their parents." — Emily Forbes

"I would have to say one of the best skills a NICU nurse possesses is how to feed a difficult baby. You try to teach parents all you can, but no one could feed a difficult baby better than a NICU nurse!" — Melanie Feretich

"Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing about my job. I love the diversity of patients I see and the challenges that each new shift brings. These babies are so incredible and are such fighters and it's an honor to be a part of their journey." — Jaclyn Medernach