NICU Experience
In recent decades a new specialty has developed in the care related to newborn babies, that of neonatology.
Research on the effects of low birth weight, congenital problems and disease processes has led to the development
of sophisticated technological treatments, to meet complex physical and psychological developmental needs.
As a part of your clinical experience in Parent-Child Nursing, you will spend one day at either the NICU of St. John’s
Hospital, St Francis Medical Center, or Carle Foundation Hospital (see clinical schedule). On this clinical day, you will
follow a nurse preceptor as she cares for her baby/babies. If the baby is stable, assist your nurse in the assessment
process with vital signs. You should not be involved in any invasive procedures or administration of
medications.
You should arrive by 7:30AM and stay until 11:30am OR arrive at 11:30PM and stay till 3:30PM at St. Johns, Carle,
and at St Francis. Please refer to your clinical calendar for specifics re: date and time you are assigned to go to the
NICU.
Make the most of this day where you will have an opportunity to deepen and broaden your understanding of
complications affecting some newborn babies, their needs and learning about the delicate care of the premature
infant and family.
Directions to NICU’s:
St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield:
Take I 55 S to Springfield. Exit at the “Clearlake” exit and follow signs to Springfield staying on this road straight to
9th St. Turn right on 9th St., then turn left into the parking lot for the Carol Jo Vecchie Women and Children’s
Center of St John’s Children’s Hospital. You may park in the lot directly across from the Children’s Hospital for this
half-day experience. Go to the receptionist in the lobby and tell them you are here for an observational
experience in the NICU. They should direct you to the correct floor, and then nurse educator or the nurses
assigned to you for the day. Here are directions and a map: https://www.st-johns.org/stjohns/Maps-andDirections.aspx.
OSF St Francis Medical Center in Peoria:
Take I-74 WEST to Peoria and then follow these directions:Here are the directions to the North Parking Lot at OSF
St Francis Medical Center. http://www.maxexpo.net/webs/maps/OSF/ This interactive map should assist you in
getting directions to the North Parking Lot. #1 is the North Parking Lot on this map. I encourage you to carpool to
make travel quicker and more efficient. Follow signs for the Children’s Hospital of Illinois. You will need to take
the visitor’s elevators to the NICU which is on the 4th floor of the CHOI building. Report to the receptionist/unit
secretary on the unit and they should direct you to the nurse educator or the nurses assigned to you for the day.
Learning Activities:
Prior to attending the NICU, all students must view the two DVD’s or videos from the “Last Chance, Best Hope”
series entitled, “Preemies: The Fight for Life” (DVD # 2289) and “Infants: The Fight for Life” (DVD # 2288),
(on reserve on the 2nd floor of the library in the Media Resource Center under Lynn Kennell’s name). Attached is
a worksheet to guide your learning as you view the videos. Your text has a whole unit devoted to the care of the
newborn with complications. It might be helpful to browse through these chapters to acquaint yourself with the
high-risk neonate’s needs.
1. Please submit this WORKSHEET in your clinical folder to your clinical instructor the week after going to
the NICU. You will earn 5 points if completed correctly.
2. Please use the ‘Journal Entry’ link on the course calendar to guide you in writing your reflections on
this learning experience.
Observe and work closely with your nurse preceptor in the NICU at St. Francis, Carle, or St. John’s assisting with
basic nursing care as appropriate. If possible, participate in any grand rounds that may take place during your
observation. Participate in the care of a premature infant by assisting with vital signs. ADMINISTER NO MEDS!!
The NICU primarily see this as an observational experience because there is no instructor on site.
Last Chance, Best Hope
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Please view the following 2 DVDs PRIOR to your NICU experience, completing this worksheet as you
watch, which should then be turned into your clinical instructor the week you go to the NICU . You may
want to have the PAUSE button handy while you watch to allow you time to write. This worksheet on
NICU DVD’s is worth 5 points. Inaccurate or incomplete answers will result in points being deducted.
INFANTS: The Fight for Life (53 minutes)
Not all babies in the NICU are premature! This video shows you several problems that term (or close to
term) infants face that require intensive care.
1. ECMO (Extra-corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) is a last ditch “rescue” treatment used for babies >
34-36 weeks (old enough to survive it!). In your own words, what is the general purpose of ECMO?
2. Briefly explain what happened in utero with the baby who developed a diaphragmatic hernia:
3. Why is meconium aspiration syndrome not likely to happen to a premature infant?
4. Name two advantages of breastmilk over formula for sick infants in the NICU:
5. Why do you think that primary nursing is a good idea in the NICU?
6. List at least 5 different members of the interdisciplinary team caring for babies in the NICU:
_______________ _______________
__________________
_______________
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PREEMIES: The Fight for Life (51 minutes)
This video highlights the very low birth weight (VLBW) infant and issues they face, along with treatments
and procedures you are very likely to observe during your NICU experience, so watch for them!
1. What is a UAC (Umbilical Arterial Catheter) used for?
2. What is surfactant?
3. Name at least two types of lines/tubes that can be viewed on the X-ray in order to check proper
placement:
4. What does CPAP stand for and briefly explain in your own words what it does.
5. Why is it a good idea to insert a PICC (Peripherally inserted central catheter) line as opposed to
regular IV’s or umbilical venous catheters (UVC’s)? Where does the tip of the PICC line end up?
6. Name 2 positive physiologic responses of the preemie to the parent’s presence that can be seen on
the monitor:
7. Why is it important to decrease stimuli in the NICU, like lights, noise, etc.? (Please relate your answer
to how they gain weight)
8. What medication is used to help close a PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosis)?
9. The immature immune function of a preemie was compared to what type of patient in this video?
10. Briefly explain in your own words how ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) develops in the preemie.
GOOD JOB!! NOW GO TO YOUR NICU EXPERIENCE WITH ALL THE KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE
GAINED. IT IS A VERY UNIQUE AND SPECIAL PLACE WHERE MIRACLES HAPPEN. ENJOY!