Off to Neonatology

Subject: Off to Neonatology Tue Jun 07, 2011 9:16 pm

Thought I'd share with you my "travel" through different parts of health care creep

During my intern rotation at the hospital this summer, I spent a day in Neonatology department.

Met many interesting nurses, super nurses (nurses with an extra masters letting them perscribe anything within their field of specialization. new program here apparently since the recent 10 years), doctors, residents, medical students, pharmacists, technicians, parents, babies.

The day started with a "round".
Off to Neonatology Nicu_all

Basically, just like what you see on TV in medical drama series. Starts with the nurse (who's responsible for looking after the baby. each baby has his/her specific nurse. each nurse can look after up to 2 babies. In neonatology, babies require more care) presenting the baby's case and what happened within the last 24 hours. Then the medical students put their input and everyone joins in on discussion: what to do with the babies' supplements/feeding/medication/support, etc. Everyone's huddled around the baby's incubator. Very much like the photo.

After that, is a lot of answering questions of medical students and nurses with regards to the baby treatment and what to do/what not to do.

Anyhow, I got to look at all the babies. And they are SO MINUSCULE!!!
Most of the babies in Neonatology are premature babies (born before 36 weeks. some are even born at 24 weeks!).

Babies born at 36 weeks typically weigh about 6-7lbs. Premature babies can weigh as little as 1 lbs!!

They are SO TINY! their hands are about 1 cm big >_>
Off to Neonatology Premature_birth

Still very cute. It breaks my heart that some of them were sick. I hope they will all recover soon and return home to their family.

Family is welcome to visit them anytime during the day, though. <3 Smile

it was very interesting seeing the parents come and visit them while we were doing rounds.

That's it for now kisslove

I hope I haven't bored you to death!

Subject: Re: Off to Neonatology Tue Jun 07, 2011 9:40 pm

Wow, I hope they get better too von.

Subject: Re: Off to Neonatology Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:04 pm

yes! I hope so too!
the team is doing everything to provide the best care and constant monitoring for these babies and their family.

every decision and act is being double and triple checked. I'm sure they are doing everything they can for these babies Smile

Admin Posts : 3291 Join date : 2010-05-21 Age : 109

I was a preemie and only 3 pounds when I was born. I had to stay in the hospital for 1 month before I could go home.

When I did go home, my mother dressed me in doll clothes and I slept in a bureau drawer. (it was pulled out of the bureau of course) until I got big enough to actually wear baby sized clothing.

Subject: Re: Off to Neonatology Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:12 am

I'm sure you're having fun as well Von. I've always wanted to work with babies/toddlers. Maybe if I have the opportunity to work in BC Children's Hospital one day. Smile

I guess it's quite the opposite of where I work now. I work in a Medical/Surgical unit, but lately, we've been getting a lot of old, demented people. Sometimes we get patients whose diagnosis is GFTT (Geriatric Failure to Thrive) and basically just can't look after themselves alone at home anymore. We have patients who are there for alcohol withdrawal or drug (mostly opioid) overdose and suicide attempts using drugs. Most of these people are really old, and believe me, these 85-year-olds can still be feisty (and violent) as can be.

I hope the medical team is treating you well too. I like working where I am now because everyone is so nice, funny, approachable and willing to help you out all the time. Doctors are good (most of them anyway) and I call them by their first name. Pharmacist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, social worker, even housekeeping, they are doing their job superbly well.

I have only been working there for 2 years and am one of the youngest nurses at the unit but they've been making me charge nurse all the time. I've even done a few Head nurse (we call it here Patient Care Coordinator) shifts wherein your duty is just to attend meetings and stuff with all the other big bosses. It is a lot of responsibility and you have to be good at decision making, and I guess it's good for experience and learning opportunity. (plus I get paid a few more dollars per hour lol)

Off to Neonatology Img_0512

(putting my feet up at work.

Blue and green because Vancouver Canucks had a game that day)

Anyway, I can't wait to hear more of your hospital experiences Vonnie. I always get excited and curious about other health care places, departments, etc. Hope everything goes well and smooth! I'm sure those little angels are in good hands. Very Happy

Subject: Re: Off to Neonatology Mon Jun 13, 2011 9:29 pm

awwwwww

actually, most of my intern is at a medical/surgical unit for geriatrics

People are very nice there! It's a full team all the time (OT, PT, md, phm, RN, social worker, nutritionist; quite different from neonatology where there were more medical students and residents)! I will post another post about my experience Bighug

and omg! yes nurses in charge do have a lot of responsibility! cheers

I'm happy to hear you get to be one in some of your shifts! It's definitely a great experience Smile