WORKING NURSE: What is your nursing specialty?

Karistin Banker, RNC: My specialty is low-risk neonatal nursing.

How did you choose neonatal nursing out of all the other available nursing specialties?

As an adolescent, I loved babies and my next door neighbor, Diane Daniher, had one. She was also a neonatal intensive care nurse and I admired her and wanted to be just like her. After high school, I attended Lansing Community College in Lansing, MI. I graduated with my nursing degree and then promptly went to work in the newborn nursery at a local hospital to get assessment experience for a year. After that year, I then applied to and entered into the NICU. I have been working in this specialty now for 15 years.

Where do you work as a neonatal nurse?

I have been with Paradise Valley Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, for eight years. I live nearby, which makes it very convenient for me.

What do your days typically involve in this specialty?

I truly don't have a typical day. The responsibilities vary from day to day and moment to moment. I may be attending normal and high-risk deliveries—whether they be vaginal or C-sections—assessing and transitioning newborns, providing breastfeeding instructions and assistance. Or, on another day I may be caring for the neonates who have respiratory distress and oxygen requirements, phototherapy requirements, antibiotic therapy, and growing/feeding issues.

At other times I may be addressing the home environment that a baby may be entering into and arranging for the social worker to meet with the family. Occasionally, I coordinate and assist with the transport of a baby to a tertiary center with our fabulous Airevac flight crew.

Lots of teaching is provided to parents as well, regarding their new little bundles of joy. When I am the one in charge of the unit, I also address any issues that need to be met to keep the unit running smoothly. This may involve staffing issues, assisting physicians, making sure that all the equipment is in working order, speaking with vendors, ordering supplies and even making sure that the birthday cake for one of our staff nurses has been delivered to the unit and is ready to eat! We all work 12-hour shifts and definitely wear a lot of different hats throughout the day.

Sounds like meaningful work. What do you enjoy most about this type of nursing?

I enjoy being a neonatal advocate. What this involves is making sure that all the babies get the right standard of care, at minimum. Sometimes healthcare can be very challenging in meeting this goal.

I really like the autonomy as well and find it satisfying. Self scheduling, charge nurse rotations and my immediate coworkers also make the job exciting. In addition, I like working closely with our pediatricians. Each of these areas brings fulfillment. And of course, seeing all the cute babies is definitely a joy!

What is most challenging for you in neonatal nursing?

Nursing in general offers challenges. I spend a lot of time making sure that everyone involved in the care of a baby is doing his or her job correctly. It is my least favorite aspect because although very important, it can become tedious.

What advice do you have to offer nurses who may be interested in labor and delivery as a specialty?

The first thing as a nurse interested in a specialty would be to have a good foundation in place. You need to have education and experience. I suggest working with normal newborns first because getting good assessment skills is essential. Then once you have those, move into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Learning what is normal first and then building on it is important. Most maternal/newborn nursing books can be helpful in this area.

I would also suggest that you contact the Director of Women & Infants Health Services in a local hospital. See if you can volunteer or observe on the maternal/newborn unit or in the NICU. A good neonatal nurse candidate should have a pleasant, professional personality, be strong in communication skills, and enjoy being a team member.

Another thing I like to point out to nurses about this specialty is that not every day is going to be a good day. However, YOU can and will make a difference in a family's life.

FURTHER REFERENCE:

Organizations:
March of Dimes marchofdimes.com

Websites:
www.nicuniversity.org

www.neonatalnetwork.com

www.aap.org

www.bilitool.com

Books:
The S.T.A.B.L.E. Program Learner Manual
The S.T.A.B.L.E. Program Cardiac Module

Information on above books can be reached at www.stableprogram.org