NICU

[innuendobingo]

Starting to work on NICU as a ward clerk (reception) next week as emergency cover for the ward, already work in Oncology Dept at the hospital as non clinical staff.

Any tips that NICU grad parents have for me, such as special things that ward clerks have done for them/stuff you just don't find helpful etc ?!

Thanks!

Say hello - make small talk, smile, remember who they are and as how baby (ies) are.

I spent over 2 months in nicu then Scbu. My favourite person to speak to was the cleaner. She never had bad news to give me unlike the clinical staff (god love them) always smiled, Always asked how I was. Said stupidly random nice things that cheered me up (she noticed a new scarf for example). She just made me feel a bit more normal.

Thank you! Have done stints on all paediatric wards apart from NICU myself with my children but don't have direct experience of NICU myself.

We had a receptionist who would tell us if our friends were in yet (with the permission of all mums). We had terrible WiFi and phones off in the ward, so when we were moved to different rooms then we’d often miss each other otherwise. It was a massive help in maintaining our friendships.

Remembering names. Chatting to visitors when they were kept waiting and directing people to the tea area (if applicable). Being approachable for stuff like “no milk in the fridge” when you don’t know who else to ask.

Not sure if it’s your role, but catching parents at the door if their baby has been moved. To avoid those heart-stopping moments of seeing an empty bay. Happened to me at least twice, when the lovely receptionist missed me coming in!!

Bending the rules a little maybe, but for long-termers we make close bonds on the ward. Sometimes a friend and their baby will move suddenly, and you come in and they’ve gone. It can be very distressing not knowing if they’ve died or just gone for an eye-op or something. A smile and thumbs up probably breaks patient confidentiality but it has saved many tears for me and friends.

NICU parents hide a lot of pain behind their smiles. Be nice and very kind to them, always (even if they don't seem nice).
The 4 months I spent in NICU were the worst 4 months of my life, with CONSTANT heart ache, and I didn't always show it.

All great tips