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When I was first starting out my NICU journey, I found it difficult to find reliable information on the NICU and the types of tasks NICU nurses were responsible for. In this blog, I’ve collaborated with NICU nurses from different facilities around the country to identify common shift patterns, workflows, and patient care duties. Here, I’ll answer some NICU nursing FAQs , explain some NICU nurse basics and review what we do on a daily basis. Let’s dive in!  What do NICU Nurses Do? NICU nurses care for premature or critically ill newborns  during their first few moments of life. We support their organ systems while they adjust to life outside of the womb and ensure they develop and mature appropriately. The complexity of care a facility offers depends on their NICU acuity level (Level I units provide the simplest interventions, and Level IV NICUs deliver the most intense). In simple terms, we’re in the business of growing & healing the world's tiniest humans. What are some concepts I’ll need to be familiar with? No matter your NICU unit’s size or acuity level, there are certain concepts and terms  you’ll need to be familiar with: Measurements:  Our patients are measured in grams & centimeters. We frequently measure head circumference, abdominal girth, length, and weight to ensure our patients are growing appropriately.  Gestational Age : In the NICU, the baby’s actual age isn’t the only factor that drives the care plan. We also consider their gestational age, meaning how old they are from the moment of conception. A baby that was delivered at 24 weeks would require completely different care interventions (feeding plan, respiratory support, medications, "touch times") from a baby that was delivered at 40 weeks (term), even if they were born on the same day.  Medications : NICU medications are often measured in tenths of mLs, so we have to be very careful about medication safety to ensure we don’t provide too much or too little medication. Respiratory Support/Oxygen : 2L of oxygen is considered “high flow" because our babies noses and lungs are incredibly small. Also, don’t panic if you see a patient with oxygen saturations in the high 70s. In the NICU that might be acceptable for that patient, depending on their cardiac status, level of maturity, or secondary diagnosis.  Diet : We measure our feedings in mLs as well, sometimes only giving a few drops. Most NICUs will provide infants with mother’s milk, donor milk, formula, or parenteral nutrition (TPN), depending on their diagnosis and nutritional needs. Extra-Small Sizing : We use the smallest blood pressure cuffs, diapers, IVs, nasal cannulas, and breathing tubes you have ever seen. NICU nursing is delicate work. What types of patients will I care for? ♡ NICUs usually care for infants from birth - one year old. Infants that still require intensive care after one year will transition to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) setting for developmentally appropriate interventions.  ♡ Most babies are admitted directly from L&D, postpartum (mother/baby), or are transferred from other facilities for a higher level of care. Common NICU diagnoses  include: Respiratory Distress Sepsis  (Maternal Fever, Pre-Ruptured Membranes for several days/weeks, etc.) Multiples ( twins, triplets, etc ). High-Risk  Deliveries  (drug-related births, STD exposure, unknown pregnancy) Medical Conditions (cardiac issues, GI/GU, IUGR, etc.): some are pre-diagnosed, some are unknown until the time of delivery Traumatic Delivery ( body cooling ) Premature Birth  (22-37 wks) a.k.a “preemies” Congenital Defects and Chromosomal Abnormalities Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)   Jaundice  Necrotizing Enterocolitis ( NEC )  Feeding Issues What is the Typical NICU nurse workflow? While each unit has unique schedules and care practices, the foll owing NICU nurse schedule outlines general timelines and duties for a nurse who be gins work at 0700 or 1900.   0645 or 1845 Before our unit meets for a safety huddle, we "scrub in." Huddle usually involves a meeting between the oncoming nursing team, respiratory therapists & unit leadership. During this meeting, the charge nurse will give a "brief" on any safety events, pending deliveries, or staffing updates for the upcoming 12 hours. It allows you time to prepare for any patient safety concerns while also letting you bond with your team. It’s important to remember to leave your jewelry and watches at home, as your arms will need to be bare from the elbows down. Be sure to scrub with soap and water and clean under your fingernails. This ensures that you don’t bring any outside bacteria, germs, or dirt to the vulnerable patients in the NICU. 0700 or 1900 After attending huddle, you’ll head to the bedside to get a patient report from the offgoing nurse. NICU handover report  looks a lot different than report in other units.  Typical Patient Report Topics: HISTORY OF PREGNANCY & DELIVERY Age (gestational age and current age) Weight (review gain/loss trends) Head circumference Length of the patient from head to toe VITAL SIGNS Temperatures (normal range: 36.5-37.5 C) Heart rate (normal range: 100-200) Respiratory rate (normal range: 10-100) Blood pressures (normal range: MAP 20-70) Apnea/bradycardia/desaturation episodes DIET NPO or PO eating Type of nutrition (donor milk, mother’s milk, formula, or TPN) OG or NG tubes and their sizes (normal size: 5-6 Fr) Necessary feeding support (slow flow nipple, positioning, feeding rate, history of emesis, etc.) GI/GU Urine output (all diapers must be weighed) Most recent stool (size and consistency) Ostomy, if present (most recent bag change date & skin care plan) Foley catheter, if present (french size, reason for placement, date of placement, catheter placement measurement, & recent output) GI surgical tubes (size & type: Salem Sump or Replogle) IV OR CENTAL LINE ACCESS Umbilical lines PICC lines Peripheral IVs IV fluids (location, rate, and fluid type) Broviac  TPN and lipids D10W, NS, or other TKO Any replacement fluids, like sodium acetate? Many units require nurses to “walk the line” together with the off going RN during handover report. No matter what type of line the patient has, whether it’s a feeding tube, IV access, or ET tube, you should confirm proper placement, proper infusions/settings and appropriate connections at the start and end of the shift. RESPIRATORY SUPPORT ETT size Placement of ETT Ventilator Settings (HFOV, SIMV, BCPAP, NIMV, etc) Suctioning needs Nasal Cannula size and O2 flow rate FiO2 Requirements How to respond to baby “spells” (desaturations, apnea, bradycardia, etc.) CARDIAC Hemodynamic stability Review recent blood transfusion requirements Pulses (goal: +2 in the brachial, femoral, and distal) Color (pink, pale, appropriate for ethnicity, etc.) Review cardiac medications and infusions (dopamine, epinephrine, atropine etc). NEURO Neuro baseline (sedated, somnolent, active) Sutures and fontanelle status Reflexes (sucking, moro reflex, ability to console) Head ultrasound status MRI review when necessary PAIN Pain is assessed with the NPASS pain scale   ( Neonatal Pain, Agitation, & Sedation Scale ) Pain treatment regimen (what scheduled and PRN medications are available, when/how often they can be given, etc.) SKIN Last bath Products to use (Mepitel, Mepilex, gauze, sterile water, etc.) Skin tears, bruises, wounds, rashes LABS: Recent lab trends  (bilirubin levels, H/H, chem panels, CRP, INR, etc.) DIAGNOSTICS: Chest x-rays Head ultrasounds Echocardiograms Any pending procedures or diagnostic testing ORDERS: Finally, we take a look at all of the physician/NNP orders that have been completed within the last 24 hours, as well as those that have been scheduled for the upcoming shift. How you spend the rest of your shift depends on the acuity of your patient assignment. To give you clarity, we’ll review a common shift schedule for a critical 1:1 assignment and one for a 2:1 feeder/grower assignment. 1 to 1 ASSIGNMENT Example diagnoses for this type of assignment include: pre-op cardiac surgery, body cooling, micro preemies (22-26 weeks), pre- & post-op surgical patients, complex chronic patients, etc. Let’s say a nurse is caring for a baby that was born at 23 weeks gestation. The bed area is going to have the following (most likely): a high-frequency oscillating ventilator (these things are BEASTS but are SO gentle on little lungs), multiple IV pumps and syringe pumps infusing a variety of medications, a vital signs monitor (displaying heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and BP level) and possibly a Bili-light to assist the body in breaking down bilirubin (increased levels cause jaundice). 0730 or 1930 After you finish getting report, you’ll want to prepare for your first round of “cares”. After assessing the safety of the bedside, checking orders, and assessing lines, you would sanitize the bedside. Be sure to clean the isolette/warmer, buttons, IV pumps, work areas, and charting areas.  After touching base with the RT (Respiratory Therapist) we would establish a plan for our assessments & care interventions.  Example:  While listening and counting the heart rate and respiratory rate, the nurse is working on their head to toe assessment as well. Additional tasks include changing the infant’s diaper, taking their temperature, feeling their pulses, assessing the baby’s vigor, and re-swaddling the infant. This is called “clustered care”.  If the nurse knew they had a scheduled chest x-ray & labs to draw, they would time them together. They could help the RT draw labs, perform the chest x-ray at bedside, AND make sure the neonatologist knows about the “touch time” so they can assess the baby during this period. 0800 or 2000 The neonatal assessment is possibly the most important part of your shift. If you’ve never taken care of this baby before, you’ll want to be extremely thorough. If you’ve cared for the infant for a few shifts in a row, it’s important to identify changes since your previous assessment. Example:   When assessing a NICU patient, a nurse asks themself questions like: What does the baby’s head feel like? Are the sutures separated or overlapping? Do I hear a murmur?  What do the lungs sound like? Any crackles or wheezing? How are the bowel sounds? What’s the color of the baby’s abdomen? Is their belly soft or distended? Are there any bowel loops visible? How is the patient’s muscle tone? Does the Infant have full range of motion with their limbs? Is the patient vigorous and “fighting” me, or are they flaccid? After obtaining blood pressure measurements and an axillary temperature, the nurse will work on several other checks from head to toe. They’ll perform oral care with any colostrum available, check the OG tube to remove any air from the stomach, suction out the ETT tube and make a mental note of the secretions. Finally, before closing up the isolette, the nurse would change the infant’s diaper. We weigh diapers from admission to discharge. In a few minutes, the nurse should have their ABG results back along with the x-ray image, which may result in changes to the HFOV settings. As the bedside nurse, you are actively managing the patient’s oxygen concentration to keep their saturations between the ordered parameters. Too much oxygen for too long can be detrimental to the infant’s developing retinas, and not enough starves the body of much needed oxygen. You’ll be monitoring the oxygen levels all shift. 0900 or 2100 Once you’ve completed your assessment, you’ll want to weigh in on rounds. During bedside rounds, the interdisciplinary team (neonatologist, NNP , RN, RT, PT, OT, SLP, social work, the unit charge nurse) discusses the plan of care and changes necessary to meet clinical goals. Be sure to include parents whenever possible. 1000 or 2200 Around 1000, vitals are recorded and charting begins! Most units require nurses to chart hourly vitals  for 1:1 assignments. These would include the infant’s heart rate, respirations, blood oxygen levels. 1100 or 2300 - 1900 or 1900 For critically ill 1:1 assignments, assessments and touch times would vary based on the patient’s stability and gestational age.  Example: A 23-week neonate might have “touch times” every six hours at 0800/2000 & 1400/0200. A more stable infant might have a touch time every three hours at 0800/2000, 1200/0000, and 1600/0400.  In addition to scheduled touch times you may need to provide interventions like blood product transfusions (blood, FFP, cryo, platelets), medication administration, new IV initiation, or assisting family members hold their baby. Bedside procedures may also need to be performed at the bedside. These could include PICC line insertion, lumbar puncture placement, chest x-rays, and head ultrasounds to name a few. Of course, all of this is dependent on the acuity of the patient. Vitals may be collected more often or the RN may have to assess the infant more frequently to keep them safe and free from harm. As the bedside RN, the only time you leave the bedside is for a rest or meal break. You’ll be continually watching the patient’s vital signs, reporting changes in status to the neonatologist or NP, explaining changes to the parents, and charting EVERYTHING. 2:1 Assignment Example diagnoses for this type of assignment include: mild prematurity (30+ weeks), multiple gestation (twins, triplets, etc.) or well-developing infants who previously presented with complex problems but are currently doing well. Just like with a 1:1 assignment, for 2:1 assignments, you’d get report, clean the bedside, and prepare for touch times. The main difference, besides having to juggle care times for more than one baby, is that these infants will require cares/feeding more often.  Infants that are close to going home are usually cared for and fed on a 3-hour schedule: Example: Baby A Touch Times: 8, 11, 1400, & 1700 / 2000, 2300, 0200 & 0500 Baby B Touch Times: 9, 12, 1300 & 1800 / 2100, 0000, 0300, & 0600 *** Sometimes, a baby may require care “Ad Lib,” meaning they are allowed to eat and get held whenever they want! This could potentially throw your whole shift in a tizzy, but it’s ultimately a sign that the baby is almost ready to go home. Managing 2 or more babies usually involves additional tasks like: Coordinating care times with speech or occupational therapy. Assisting parents with feeding skills. Completing discharge teaching with family members (car seat education, baths, diaper changes, feedings, follow-up appointments, well-baby care, etc.). Conducting hearing screens. While caring for three infants may not seem as stressful as caring for 1 critically ill baby, juggling multiple babies can be just as busy and hectic. Some days feel as if you are just moving from baby to baby; feeding one patient, vital signs, diaper changes, linen changes, then to the next, and the next, and finally charting it ALL. Then, doing that on repeat until 1900/0700. NICU LIFE Life can change in the blink of an eye in the NICU. One minute the unit is calm, the next, a crash c-section is performed and a 24-week gestation baby is being admitted and your team comes together to make it as smooth as possible. Quite often, those of us familiar with the NICU call this a “feast or famine”! We slow down a lot to discharge babies home and then all of a sudden L&D wants to hand the NICU multiple high-risk admissions. No matter where you work, you’re sure to witness that phenomenon! When I tell people that I am a NICU nurse, they often respond by saying: “How sad, seeing all those sick babies!” or “How do you do that?” Quite simply, seeing babies get healthy enough to go home is addicting! You get to help families through some of the hardest times of their lives & see the tiny babies you cared so much for turn into “line-backer” toddlers! Lots of happy tears and sad tears, but in the end, most of us NICU RNs think the NICU is the most magical place to be a nurse. Ready to Start Your NICU Journey? Now that you know what a day in the life of a NICU nurse could look like, you’ll have to decide if NICU nursing is the right path for you. If you’re ready to take the next step, we’ve got tons of resources, educational materials, and bedside tools to make your transition to the NICU  a positive and rewarding experience. Check out the latest merch on NICUity and be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter  to get the inside scoop on the latest NICU happenings. HEAD OVER TO THE PODCAST! EPISODE #1 & #2 ANSWER MANY NICU 101 QUESTIONS! Another great resource for you BELOW. I was featured on The Morning Rounds and talked all things NICU Nursing. Dynamics, my personal journey, NICU Nurse Tips & Tricks! NICU Nurse Essential Resources American Academy of Pediatrics Academy of Neonatal Nursing Childhood & Adult Immunization CDC Guidelines March of Dimes! Resources for parents & providers Access 1,300+ Drugs with Easy-to-Understand Lactation Risk Categories National Association of Neonatal Nurses National Certification Corporation - NICU National certifications for experienced nurses NICU University & Peds University Vermont Oxford Network - 1,300 hospitals collaborating around the world! Tori's Tips on NICU NURSE 101 Tori Meskin, MSN, RNC-NIC, has been a passionate NICU clinician since 2012, specializing in acute care and inpatient neonatal settings throughout Southern California. Board-certified in neonatal intensive care, she also brings extensive experience as a travel NICU nurse. Tori is the co-founder of NICUity, a modern resource hub empowering NICU professionals with hands-on tools, education, and community support. As a mother, wife, and entrepreneur, she shares her journey balancing life at the bedside with motherhood, marriage, content creation, and building a brand. Discover her latest tips, tools, and insights at www.tipsfromtori.com  or reach out at abbysocialmgmt@gmail.com . ​

All of the best NICU nurse resources. These are the best tips, tricks, websites, CEUs, certifications, organizations, etc. to help you transition and add to your NICU nurse career. After almost a decade of NICU nursing, I have a lot of resources up my sleeve...and I want to bring them here to you! Let's dive in... LET'S START AT THE BEGINNING If you’re a neonatal nurse, you know that staying up-to-date on the latest evidence and research is not only necessary to renew your license, but is also essential to practicing safely and effectively. Those that have been in the NICU field for a while know that finding reliable educational materials and CEU courses can sometimes be as stressful as providing infant care.  Embarking on my social media journey , I realized that the new generation of NICU nurses is still struggling to find the resources I needed when I was just starting out over 10 years ago. Don’t worry — we’ve done the research and have found the high-quality learning materials we know you need.   NICU Nurse Resources By Category ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Here, we review top NICU nurse resources, including continuing education courses, conferences, books, podcasts, websites, and professional nursing organizations. This list is comprehensive and offers hundreds of opportunities to find the accurate and trustworthy information you need! Let’s dive in.  CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES: ♡ NICUity Academy Courses : Whether you enroll in our New Grad Miniclass, NICU Essentials Masterclass, or Experienced Nurse Crash Course, you’ll be learning from the best in the field while earning valuable CEUs. You can enroll in our comprehensive courses or if you prefer to read on your own time, you can stick to studying our electronic or hard copy materials. Either way, once you’re done, you’ll feel confident and prepared to face any work challenge! ♡ University MedEd : On this site, you’ll find short-form comprehensive medical education. As part of NICU University , Med On The Go is the new mobile-friendly platform delivering comprehensive pediatric nursing education in short videos. ♡ NCC Continuing Education : Here, you can find tons of CE courses in a number of NICU-related fields, including neonatology, women’s health, and obstetrics. You can also receive free CEUs in any core area for helping the NCC pretest questions for their certification exams! This is a super fun way to get involved with the NCC and make a difference in the lives of the next generation NICU nurses! ♡ Nurse.com Neonatal Continuing Education :  This site offers a variety of NICU CEUs and advertises courses like “Neonatal Life Support”, “Newborn Screening”, and “ELNEC Pediatric Curriculum”. For those who may be interested in other specialties as well, Nurse.com offers hundreds of contact hours for RNs, LPNs, and nurse practitioners in a variety of clinical settings.  ♡ NetCE Nationally Accredited Evidence-based CME :  NetCE offers nationally-accredited evidence-based CME/CEU/CE for a variety of healthcare professionals. For NICU specific education, we recommend their “Breastfeeding”, “Newborn Assessment”, and “Care of Families With Sick Newborns” courses.  ♡ Pediatrix Continuing Education : Here, you can find a variety of engaging courses and webinars, most of which are completely free! They also host live “Grand Rounds” webinars on the first Wednesday of every month from 1600-1700 ET! This is a great opportunity to network and learn with NICU providers from around the world.   ♡ Abbott Nutrition Health Institute : The mission of ANHI is to connect and empower individuals with science-based nutrition information to help improve health. They offer a variety of NICU-specific courses, reading materials, and training programs to help you better familiarize yourself with the most updated NICU nutrition research out there. NICU Masterclass - Earn Contact Hours NICU BOOKS : This list of hardcopy and e-book references is great for both new and experienced NICU nurses. Whether you like having the book with you at the bedside or prefer referencing information on your phone, there are plenty of books for you. You can find a more expansive list of my favorite clinical and career guidance books at my Amazon store .  ♡ The NICU Essentials Masterclass eBook : Our comprehensive 130 page e-book will provide you with all the necessary NICU knowledge from nursing school and resumes, to diagnosis and prematurity, to bedside skills, to cardiac defects, night shift tips, and much more! This e-book contains a mix of informational and interactive pages to guide you through your entire NICU journey. ♡ Merenstein & Gardner’s Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care : This is a thorough clinical review tool that can help you understand the more complex clinical concepts surrounding NICU nursing.  ♡ Peds Congenital Heart Education : This organization’s Illustrated Field Guide to Congenital Heart Disease and Repair is one of my favorite NICU resources on the market. It contains great pictures and explanations for some of the most common congenital heart diseases seen in the NICU- I highly recommend! ♡ Fast Facts for the Neonatal Nurse: A Nursing Orientation and Care Guide in a Nutshell : This is a great bedside reference tool for new NICU nurses and NICU nurse preceptors. The book provides an overview of care guidelines for a variety of NICU patient populations. In addition to skills checkoff lists, it also contains a quick-guide to lab values and commonly used medications. CHECK OUT OUR COMPLETE NICU E-BOOK COLLECTION ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ NICU CONFERENCES Looking to learn while growing your NICU network and community? Attending conferences is the perfect way to expand your knowledge, meet other NICU professionals, and travel to new parts of the world! Here are a few great conferences coming up: ♡ National Association of Neonatal Nurses : NAAN is hosting their 40th annual conference this year in Orlando, Florida! From September 18-20th 2024, you can attend workshops, seminars, and educational sessions, all of which are aimed to teach and inspire us NICU nurses!  ♡ American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition : From September 27-October 1st 2024, you can be one of over 10,000 pediatric health professionals to learn and grow at this conference held in Orlando, Florida. Listen to keynote speakers, network with other NICU nurses, and earn CEUs! ♡ National Neonatal Nurses Conference : Held September 4-7 in New Orleans, this conference is sure to be the perfect mix of learning and fun. Perinatal, NICU, and NICU NP professionals are all invited to attend.  NICU NURSE PODCASTS & BLOGS Academic materials are great, but sometimes you just want the cold, hard truth about NICU nursing and what it entails. Here, I’ve listed a few blogs and podcast episodes  for those that are looking to cut straight to the chase:  ♡ NICU Nurse 101 Blog: "What is NICU Nursing really like?" : This article should answer questions like “ What are the most common NICU diagnoses ?”, “What is a NICU nurse’s workflow?” and “What are the most important factors involved with infant assessment?”. If you’re looking to see whether NICU nursing is for you, I highly recommend checking this blog out.  ♡ Cellfie Podcast: Answering Your NICU Questions Roundtable with @thatnursetia : In this podcast episode, TikTok NICU RN Tia, a close friend of mine, gives her input on her favorite parts of NICU nursing, common NICU myths, and the biggest hurdles she’s faced on the job.  ♡ NICU Heroes Podcast by Hand To Hold : This podcast provides great bedside tips for NICU nurses, including how to best communicate with grieving parents, avoiding burnout, and guidance for supporting NICU dads. An extra perk is that listening to these episodes earn you CE hours! This is a great option for earning education hours on vacation or during your commute! NICU EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES Here, I’ve compiled a list of the top couple informational NICU websites that you can peruse or provide to families who are looking to learn more about NICU research , charity outreach, or community events: ♡ March of Dimes : The March of Dimes strives to close the health equity gap for all mothers and infants, through research, legislative action, and community education.  ♡ Nationwide Children’s NICU Resources : Nationwide houses an incredible reference section for NICU professionals and families. They provide an in-depth review of developmentally appropriate care, feeding guidelines, discharge planning resources, and more. PROFESSIONAL NICU NURSING ORGANIZATIONS Joining professional nursing organizations not only boosts your career portfolio, but can also help you network and learn more about cutting-edge devices, therapies, and treatments! By becoming a member of these groups and organizations, you’ll gain access to all the info you’ll need. Here are few of my favorites: ♡ National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NAAN) : NAAN is a professional nursing organization aimed at training and empowering NICU nurses across the United States. They provide 20 free online CEUs to members and allow access to their monthly newsletter and journal to read up on all the latest NICU news. You’ll also receive discounted rates on conferences and seminars — it’s a membership that’ll pay for itself and look good on your resume! ♡ Academy of Neonatal Nursing : Becoming a member of the ANN is a great way to network, learn, and grow as a NICU leader. Your membership fee provides discounts on conference attendance, certification review courses, and CEUs. ANN members looking to go back to school can even apply for one of their great scholarships! You should definitely check this one out.  ♡ The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nursing (AWHONN) : AWHONN prioritizes advocacy, education, research, and professional development. Their website is chock full of webinars, journals, and online courses to help you practice at your best.  Looking to Stay Current On the Latest NICU Happenings? At NICUity, we’ve got you covered with the nursing resources, educational materials, and work essentials to help you perform your best. By subscribing to our free email newsletter , you’d be the first to hear about any hot NICU news or new merchandise drops! For more info on all we have to offer, feel free to check out our site ! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ If you are seeking a more "In Depth Conversation" head over to the Podcast! "The Cellfie Show." EPISODE #2 & EPISODE #9 REVEALS all things NICU Nurse 101! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Another great resource for you BELOW. I was featured on The Morning Rounds and talked all things NICU Nursing. Dynamics, my personal journey, NICU Nurse Tips & Tricks! NICU Nurse Essential Resources NICU Essentials Masterclass NICU Badge Reference Cards NICU E-Books - Instant Download American Academy of Pediatrics Academy of Neonatal Nursing Childhood & Adult Immunization CDC Guidelines March of Dimes! Resources for parents & providers Access 1,300+ Drugs with Easy-to-Understand Lactation Risk Categories National Association of Neonatal Nurses National Certification Corporation - NICU National certifications for experienced nurses NICU University & Peds University Vermont Oxford Network - 1,300 hospitals collaborating around the world! Tori Meskin, MSN, RNC-NIC, has been a passionate NICU clinician since 2012, specializing in acute care and inpatient neonatal settings throughout Southern California. Board-certified in neonatal intensive care, she also brings extensive experience as a travel NICU nurse. Tori is the co-founder of NICUity, a modern resource hub empowering NICU professionals with hands-on tools, education, and community support. As a mother, wife, and entrepreneur, she shares her journey balancing life at the bedside with motherhood, marriage, content creation, and building a brand. Discover her latest tips, tools, and insights at www.tipsfromtori.com  or reach out at abbysocialmgmt@gmail.com .

Congratulations on passing your NCLEX and landing your first job ! You’re probably feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement — don’t worry! We’ve all been there. A lot of what you’ll need to know about patient safety you learned in nursing school. However, most of the practical skills you’ll need will be taught during your first few weeks on the job.   Looking to make your transition to practice a positive learning experience? I’ve collaborated with colleagues, professors, and nursing school friends to come up with this list of tips to help your new grad career   get started on the right foot. 1. Never be afraid to ask questions. Asking questions as a new grad nurse can be intimidating. For the safety of your patients, ALWAYS ASK if you’re unsure of how to do something or why your patient needs a particular medication or test. You’d be surprised how many seasoned nurses may have the same question — you  can help your coworkers learn too!   2. Admit when you’ve made a mistake. In the healthcare world, mistakes happen every day. When you’re just starting out, don’t make a habit of covering up a mistake, blaming others, or trying to argue your way out of it. Your colleagues will understand if you admit to your mistake and ask for help in reducing the consequences of your error.  3. Don’t hesitate to take a few minutes for yourself. If you need to use the restroom, ask a coworker to cover for you. If you need to hydrate, drink before continuing with your tasks. Most nurses delay the little things they need because they’re in a rush to finish a task but in reality, if you are too hard on yourself the work you do will be affected.  4. Always perform routine safety checks after receiving handover report. Before diving into shift tasks, it’s always important to make sure you have the necessary equipment at the bedside in case of an emergency. You’ll want to verify that you have items like a suction catheter, ambu bag, code sheet, functioning oxygen canister and tubing, IV initiation set, alcohol/chlorhexidine wipes, saline flushes, and gloves.  5. Know the SIZES of all tubes & lines in your patient. In the NICU, our patients are tiny and delicate. You’ll want to make sure you know what size lines and tubes your patient has. As part of this assessment, you’ll also want to know how deep these tubes are and keep track of those measurement numbers as well. Important lines and tubes include NG/OG tubes, IVs, ETTs, UVCs/UACs, PICCs, chest tubes, Foley catheters, etc. 6. Keep up with your charting. If you save your documentation for later, you might be rushing to finish before your shift ends. You can’t fully anticipate when you will be really busy, so stay up-to-date on your charting as often as you can. It’s also important for the multidisciplinary team to be able to review your charting and trend the data, so you’ll want the most recent assessment and vital signs readings to be updated in the chart as soon as possible. 7. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ll learn hundreds of new things each shift. What’s important is that your coworkers and managers won’t expect you to remember everything or perfect every skill after your first try. Having patience with yourself will help others have patience with you as well. Take your time, you’ve got a long career ahead to master your skills! 8. Before calling a doctor, always think about & make a list of the things you need to mention. You can’t fully trust your memory when talking through a phone call especially when the doctor is always in a hurry. I like to make little notes of the things I need prior to calling or paging the doctor so I don’t forget any important details. For example, if you call and ask to increase a vasopressor dose, make sure you have a set of recent vitals to share with the doctor. They’ll want this information as well! 9. Invest in comfortable footwear. You will take thousands of steps every nursing shift, so wear appropriate nursing shoes that are made for comfort and durability. I also recommend getting a pair of shoes that can be easily washed or wiped. Check out my favorite brand, Sanita Clogs, here! PS: You can use the code “ Nurse Tori” for 20% off your order. 10. Learn to be assertive. Building confidence takes time. Watch and learn from seasoned nurses how they give report, ask questions, take phone calls, and communicate with family members. While these skills are practiced throughout your career, it’s important to start practicing while you’re just starting out. 11. Avoid being involved in workplace gossip. We’ve all witnessed this sort of catty behavior in school, in clubs, or in the community. Being known as one of the unit’s gossip queens will do nothing good for your career as a nurse. Instead, try to get a reputation for being kind, helpful, and intelligent.   12. Always research new medications before you give them. You may have never heard of some of the medications that you’ll be administering in the NICU. Before giving them to your patient, take the time to understand why you’re giving the medication, potential side effects, IV compatibility, and the appropriate dosing range. If you’ve researched and still don’t know why or how to give the medication, ask a coworker for advice. 13. Read the doctor's notes . Nursing report can get busy, and you don’t always have time to relay every single part of a patient’s history. Make a habit of reading through the doctor’s notes and plan of care after receiving report. These notes are comprehensive and could help you find extra details or information that you weren’t aware of. 14. Make your statement short and precise when calling a doctor in the middle of the night. When calling a doctor, you’ll want to have a short and sweet request. You might think that providing a long detailed story or explanation could help, but it usually makes your request more confusing and complicated. Get straight to the point and ask for what you need. Doctors will respect this and thank you for it! 15. Extend a helping hand to your colleagues when they need it. You will soon realize how helpful it is to have caring co-workers. The more often you show that you’re willing to help your neighbor, the more likely it is that they’ll help you the next time you need it! 16. When in DOUBT, take the line OUT ! NICU IV’s only usually last 24-96 hours depending on the baby’s size and vasculature. If their IV site looks puffy, red, swollen, is difficult to flush, or blanches, take it out! 17. Don’t fully trust an IV pump or other piece of equipment. Make sure to manually check the rate, volume, and concentration of the IV fluid you’re infusing during rounds and before starting a new drip. This will keep your patients safe and will also help you understand how much fluid volume is going into your patient every hour. 18. When calculating the volume for new medications or narcotics, always ask an experienced RN to double check your work. This will give you confidence and security that you have drawn up the medication the right way. If you’re not sure how to prepare the medication, ask how they would reconstitute and administer it. You’ll notice a trend here — ask all of the questions!! 19.   Be careful with your charting. Remember that in the medical world, if it is not charted, it was never done. Your charting will be significant if a lawsuit is brought against you or the hospital. This is important to consider when having conversations with doctors and family members as well. If you relay an important assessment finding or vital sign, chart who you told and when you had the conversation. This might seem unnecessary, but trust me, you’ll always want to cover yourself, especially during critical moments.  20. When you are about to do a procedure like dressing change or Foley catheter insertion, make a list of all of the supplies you’ll need so you don’t forget anything. If you’re placing a new IV, have a couple sets open and ready. Even if you’re only changing a baby's diaper, make sure to have everything you need at the bedside before opening the isolette. This will save you time if something unexpected happens during the procedure. 21.   Always get the right size of gloves for your hands. Gloves work better when they fit your hands perfectly. Don’t rush and grab a size that’s too large or small, especially during a crisis situation. You’ll want to make sure your dexterity is as good as it can be. This starts with wearing the proper size of gloves! 22. Show the world what professional nurses look and act like. Just remember that wherever you go, you are representing the nursing profession. Especially when you’re in your work scrubs, your actions, appearance, and attitude should reflect the nursing profession you have worked hard to enter.  23. Always try to appear calm and relaxed, even if you’re freaking out on the inside. If you appear calm and coordinated, it’s more likely that your patient and their family members will read your calm energy and relax a bit. This skill can be especially helpful during emergency situations.  24. Treat yourself at the end of a tiring shift. 12-hour shifts can be long and exhausting, especially when you work more than one in a row! When your shift ends, always remember to # TREATyoSELF !  This could mean getting yourself a nice dinner on the drive home from work, or it could mean enjoying a cup of herbal tea before heading to bed. This will give you the energy and motivation you’ll need to continue through the challenges during your next shift.  25.   Wear compression stockings. Nursing involves a lot of time on your feet. Take care of your legs early on in your career so you can   avoid developing varicose veins  down the line. There are tons of cute nurse compression socks  out there to make you feel less like a granny — check them out here !  26.   Be open to advice. If a preceptor or other senior nurse recommends an easier way to do a task, try it. Experience is the best teacher and your senior nurses know what they’re doing! 27. Take advantage of the time you have with your preceptor. When you are working under a preceptor, ask for suggestions and tips! Your hospital is paying you to learn, so this is the perfect time to ask ANYTHING you’re unsure about. You are new and your coworkers know that. 28. Organize your shift and make a tentative schedule for the things you need to do. I recommend making a tentative hourly schedule on the back of your nursing report sheet to organize your shift. Prioritize which needs to be done first and make sure those tasks get completed before things get busy. 29. Get to know everyone in your unit. You’ll want to become familiar with all of the employees who work on your unit. This includes the respiratory therapists, doctors, techs, secretaries, and janitors — not JUST the nurses. You don’t need to become best friends with everyone, but getting to know them will help you adjust to your new unit and feel more comfortable asking for help. 30. Relax — things do get easier! All NICU nurses  who are new in the profession undergo the same period of adjustment, so be patient. Being nervous is a good thing at first, but everything will get more comfortable with time :)  31. Avoid complaining. Complaining at work affects the mood of your co-workers. Try to stay positive and minimize negativity. If you have a legitimate concern or issue with the way something on your unit is done, bring it up to your manager or supervisor instead of ruminating about it. 32.   Delegate tasks. Some nurses think they can get everything done themselves. In the NICU, it’s impossible to do all the work alone. Delegate simple tasks to others in a respectful manner and reach out for assistance if you’ve got a busy shift and need a hand.  33.   Develop your own support system. It can be helpful to talk about your problems at work with someone who understands the challenges and stresses of nursing. A mentor can help you work through difficult days and keep your spirit alive.  34. Set goals. What do you want your career to look like in 5 years? Setting nursing goals  will help you maximize what you achieve as a nurse. These could include objectives like becoming certified , going back to school, or becoming a charge nurse on your unit. 35.   Find a hobby to enjoy on days off. Joining a club or hobby can help direct your attention away from your job while you’re at home. It’s easy to worry about patients or think of your coworkers when you should be relaxing and recovering from your shifts.  36. Take the opportunity to watch procedures while you’re on orientation. Seasoned nurses have their own tricks for doing procedures like Foley catheter insertion, dressing changes, sterile line changes, and admitting a patient. Offering a second pair of hands will show that you’re not only looking to help your team, but that you’re also looking to take the initiative to learn from the best.  37. Be flexible. If you are asked to float in another unit for extra help, accept it. If your unit has a difficult assignment that you’d like to learn from, offer to care for the patient. You’ll learn a lot by taking on challenges and being flexible.  38. After experiencing a tough shift, you’ll have nothing to fear. If you run three codes in a single shift, the next time you have a code you will know what to do and won’t have the same level of fear you had the first time you handled an emergency. The same thing applies when inserting IV lines, helping with a high-risk delivery, and admitting a patient After doing an IV insertion  hundreds of times, you’ll find venipuncture easy.  39. When receiving verbal orders, right down what you hear and read the order back to clarify. There’s an old saying that we forget 80% of what we hear within a few seconds of hearing it. When having a discussion with a doctor, take notes so you can feel confident knowing you're taking the right action. This can keep patients safe and also protect your license. 40.   Don’t dwell on mistakes. Like mentioned earlier, making mistakes happens to everyone, even in high risk settings like the NICU. What’s important in these situations is that you learn from your mistakes  and move on. 41. Don’t apologize for doing your job. If you need to call the attending physician in the middle of the night, do it without hesitation. If you need to assess the baby while the mother is holding their child, don’t be afraid to tell her what needs to be done. It can be awkward and uncomfortable, but you’re just doing your job to protect your patient.  42.   No matter how tired or stressed out you are, always approach your patients with positivity and a gentle touch. Patients are in the NICU because they have illnesses. While they can’t thank you for your attention and devotion, they have a future because of you. If you’re having a tough personal day or can’t bring your best to work, consider taking a sick or mental health day. This is celebrated these days, not looked down upon. This can help you show up with your best foot forward every day.   43.   Get a NICU reference guide  to use on your first few months of the job. In nursing school, you’re tested on your ability to remember medications and side effects. Now, you’re allowed to use “ cheat sheets ”. Don’t be ashamed to carry a bedside nursing reference book  or drug guide during your first shifts. 44. When you’re faced with a crisis and you don’t know what to do, always start with the basics. If you’re faced with an emergency situation but aren’t sure where to start, begin with what you know. Collect the patient’s vital signs , perform a head-to-toe assessment, visualize your lines, tubes, and support the baby’s breathing if necessary. The other important assessments will stem out from here. 45.   Listen to your “gut feeling”. Trust your instincts. As you develop skills and an understanding of infant anatomy and physiology , you’ll develop gut feelings that will help you along the way. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. If you feel uncomfortable about something and want to ask a doctor about what to do, your discomfort is what will save your patient.  46.   Leave your work stress at the hospital. Go home with peace in your mind. It is unfair to think about what you might have forgotten to do at work when you are already at home with your family. The great thing about nursing is that there’s always someone at the hospital handling the patient workload. While you’re off, enjoy being off. It’ll be your turn to go back soon enough, so enjoy the peace! 47. If a seasoned nurse grills you when you’re giving report, don’t take it personally. Some nurses may come across as demanding and rude when getting report. While this may seem personal, they’re there for the same reason as you are: to care for patients and get babies home to their families. Those that have worked in the NICU for years probably know more than you do, so take every opportunity to learn from them and thank them for their tips and support. Soon enough you’ll be the seasoned nurse giving pointers :)  48.   When giving medications, double check your six rights. When administering a medication, even if you’ve given it one hundred times, you’ll want to review the six rights of medication administration  – right medication, right patient, right time, right dose, right route, and right documentation.  - NICU Common Meds & Code Meds at Your Fingertips - NICUity Bedside Comprehensive Companion 49.   If no one see ms to be taking your concerns seriously, raise them to the medical chain-of-command. As a new grad, you may feel like doctors aren’t taking your concerns or worries seriously. If you’re not getting the attentive response you need, consider raising your concerns to the chain-of-command. Start with a resident or fellow, and go up to the neonatal nurse practitioner  and neonatologist after that.  50. Do your physical assessment properly as it will serve as the foundation of your care. Practice it over & over with a systematic approach. Soon it will become second nature with a speedy, detailed, accurate approach. When you feel comfortable performing an assessment, you’ll gain a load of confidence  in recognizing changes and abnormalities. 51.   Use proper body mechanics!  When pushing equipment, lifting objects, moving isolettes, and charting, protect your body. Stand with good form and avoid bending at the waist. Your future self will thank you! 52. Take (and appreciate) your breaks when you’re allowed them. When you’re new, you might feel compelled to chart through your break or say “no” to someone covering you for a few minutes while you grab a bite to eat. Experienced nurses will tell you to TAKE YOUR BREAK! You’re entitled to at least a few minutes of rest during your 12-hour shift. Whether you use that break to rehydrate, eat, or take a nap is up to you, but be sure to use your time to find some peace in the middle of your shift.  53.   Never forget the reason you became a nurse. Think about why you became a nurse  whenever you are feeling tired, run down or burned-out from work. It will help you get through the rough times of being a nurse and will keep you motivated to improve your practice and the lives of those you care for.  54. Put compassion into everything you do. Remember, when you’re a NICU nurse, you’re caring for someone’s most precious gift. You’re caring for a neonate/preemie or infant at their most vulnerable moments. Speak softly, act with a sensitive touch, and listen with attention. Families will never forget it. 55. It’s never too early to save for retirement! Most organizations provide employees with a retirement savings plan in their benefits package! Whether you are able to contribute 5% or 15%, start contributing money towards your retirement fund early! This always seems to be put on the back burner, however it should be one of the top things you prioritize! Looking for more ways to get ahead? Being a new nurse is hard, but here at NICUity , we’ve got your back! Our educational guides and resources can support you during the first few months of your career and beyond.  ​ Tori Meskin, MSN, RNC-NIC, has been a passionate NICU clinician since 2012, specializing in acute care and inpatient neonatal settings throughout Southern California. Board-certified in neonatal intensive care, she also brings extensive experience as a travel NICU nurse. Tori is the co-founder of NICUity, a modern resource hub empowering NICU professionals with hands-on tools, education, and community support. As a mother, wife, and entrepreneur, she shares her journey balancing life at the bedside with motherhood, marriage, content creation, and building a brand. Discover her latest tips, tools, and insights at www.tipsfromtori.com  or reach out at abbysocialmgmt@gmail.com . ​

A neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) is an advanced practice nurse who cares for infants that require intensive care immediately after birth. They expertly manage newborn conditions like respiratory distress, low birth weight, congenital heart diseases , and electrolyte imbalance. These healthcare providers usually work in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) alongside neonatal nurses, neonatologists, respiratory therapists, and other clinical staff.  Curious what it takes to become one of these providers? In this article, we do a deep dive into the role of NNPs, explain what they do, and review the necessary schooling and clinical experience required to start your NNP journey.  What do Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNP) do? Neonatal nurse practitioners perform a variety of duties relating to providing care to sick and premature neonates and newborns. Specific duties include: ♡ Ordering and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests. ♡ Monitoring vital signs .  ♡ Performing bedside procedures like intubation and central line placement. ♡ Starting and maintain IV lines, specifically central catheters and umbilical lines ♡ Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions. ♡ Documenting a thorough maternal medical history, along with any perinatal diagnoses  and symptoms. ♡ Detecting changes in a patient’s health and altering the treatment plan when necessary. ♡ Educating patients and family members on their newborn’s disease process and plan of care. ♡ Monitoring and adjusting specialized equipment like incubators, ventilators, heart/lung bypass machines, total body cooling, and dialysis equipment to help patients meet their clinical goals. ♡ Leading neonatal resuscitation efforts alongside other team members. ♡ Communicating with other frontline clinicians and bedside nurses. ♡ Prescribing medications (independently or in a collaborative agreement with a physician, depending on the state of practice). ♡ Assisting with patient admission and discharge.  ♡ Participating in post-discharge primary care management. ♡ Participating in high-risk newborn transport. ♡ Leading staff education programs. NNPs, like other nursing professionals, often work 12-hour shifts in acute-care hospitals. They are often expected to work day and night shifts and may be required to work on-call shifts for emergency deliveries or patient decompensation on a non-acute unit.  What Steps Are Required to Become an NNP? A neonatal nurse practitioner is an advanced professional nursing position. This process takes around 6 years from start to finish. Below, we outline the general steps required to become a licensed neonatal nurse practitioner.  Steps to Become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner: Go to nursing school  to get your nursing degree (ADN or BSN). Pass the NCLEX. Work as an RN (it’s best to get experience in a labor and delivery unit, postpartum unit, birthing center, or NICU to prepare for your NNP journey). Most NP programs prefer applicants with at least 1-2 years of bedside experience.  Apply to a master’s nursing degree program (MSN or DNP). Pass your boards to get your advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) nursing license. Start working as an NNP! Which Degree Program Should I Choose to Become an NNP? You’ll need to earn either your MSN or DNP from an accredited program with a specialty in neonatal nursing. There are three main degree pathways you can take to become a neonatal nurse practitioner: MSN-NP: One of the most common options for NP programs, the MSN-NP is for students who already have their BSN and enroll directly into the program at the graduate level. These programs usually take 2-3 years to complete.  - Basic requirements:  The applicant must possess a BSN degree. DNP: Doctorate Nurse Practitioner programs allow students to receive their doctorate degrees while meeting the requirements to become an NP. The DNP is generally suited for nurses who plan on working in an academic or research-based setting or want to go on to teach nursing courses in a university or college. These programs usually take 3-4 years to complete.  - Basic requirements:  The applicant must already possess a BSN degree. Postgraduate Certificate: If you have a graduate degree that is different from the area that you wish to specialize in, you can search for a school that offers a post-graduate certification option to allow you to enroll directly into the program. - Basic requirements:  Post-grad certificate programs require you to either possess your Master’s Degree of Science in Nursing (MSN) or have a Nurse Practitioner qualification in another specialty. What Are the Top 10 NNP Programs in the U.S.? Now that you know what it takes to become an NNP, you may be curious — which colleges and universities offer NNP specialty programs? Below, we list some of the highest-rated NNP programs across the country.  Vanderbilt University University of Pennsylvania University of Virginia Ohio State University Duke University Case Western Reserve University University of California- San Francisco Emory University University of Connecticut University of Alabama- Birmingham Resources for Every Step of Your Nursing Journey The first step to becoming a great NNP is becoming more comfortable and confident as a bedside nurse. At NICUity , we’ve got tons of educational materials, online review courses, and bedside tools to boost your career and improve your clinical practice.  Tori Meskin, MSN, RNC-NIC, has been a passionate NICU clinician since 2012, specializing in acute care and inpatient neonatal settings throughout Southern California. Board-certified in neonatal intensive care, she also brings extensive experience as a travel NICU nurse. Tori is the co-founder of NICUity, a modern resource hub empowering NICU professionals with hands-on tools, education, and community support. As a mother, wife, and entrepreneur, she shares her journey balancing life at the bedside with motherhood, marriage, content creation, and building a brand. Discover her latest tips, tools, and insights at www.tipsfromtori.com  or reach out at abbysocialmgmt@gmail.com .

Those who know me know that I absolutely love Tucson, Arizona . As a proud University of Arizona nursing school graduate ( #beardown ), I’m always looking for ways to brag about the college, the town, and all that it offered me as a new nurse entering the healthcare world.  I lived and worked in Tucson for five years, taking in all that the city had to offer. I loved every second of living there, and was sad to have to leave the vibrant community, natural beauty, and incredible weather that comes with living in this special place.  Many of my close friends, nursing, and social media followers have been discussing high nurse burnout rates at the hospitals where they work. The increased costs of living in many of the fun, vibrant areas have made it challenging to afford the work-life balance and adventure that so many nurses are looking for. Many of my healthcare friends look to balance an exciting career with a fun and healthy lifestyle but can find it challenging to make that a reality. I’ve read a lot in the news recently about how Tucson is investing time, money, and resources   in developing healthcare growth and opportunities in the region, which makes me so excited for my beloved town and the lucky nurses who’ll get to live and work there.  What makes living and working in Tucson so great? Here, I’ll review my top five favorite things about being a nurse in Tucson and showcase the reasons this special city is so close to my heart. Top 5 Reasons to Move to Tucson for Nursing ♡ Tucson is a hustling healthcare hub with incredible career and educational opportunities Whether you’re a new nurse, looking to go back to nursing school, or are a seasoned pro looking for a new adventure, Tucson has so much to offer young professionals working in the healthcare field. The city houses three main medical centers: Banner-University Medicine , El Rio Health , and TMC Health . These hospitals offer robust emergency/trauma, medical and surgical services and specialties.  In addition to these facilities, The University of Arizona  is home to dozens of state-of-the-art science departments, including a school of nursing and a college of medicine. There is a large amount of funding going into making the Tucson medical industry an exciting and supportive place to work, making it the perfect time to consider moving to the area.  ♡ The affordability of the city makes it easy to balance finances and fun.   The cost of living in Tucson is 6% below the national average , making it easier to afford a lifestyle of fun and sun while working in a healthcare role. The average home price in Tucson sits at around $318,000, making it a prime place to live for first time home buyers.  In my opinion, Tucson is truly a hidden gem. The city is very dog and family-friendly, full of good public schools and parks. The college-town vibe makes it feel like new and exciting things are always popping up, while the small-town charm keeps the city warm and inviting as the population grows and expands . Traffic is light for most commutes, which makes it easier for residents to choose where they want to live in town without having to consider how far from the hospital their drive will be.  ♡ There are limitless opportunities for outdoor fun and exploration on days off.  As a night shift nurse, my days off are everything to me! With our long shifts, crazy sleep patterns, and stressful working environments, nurses need to live somewhere that they can find work-life balance. The top healthcare employers in the Tucson area offer top-quality benefits, vacation time, and flexible scheduling, making it easier for you to enjoy days off your way.  Living in Tucson, I knew that every day would be warm and sunny, which meant I could optimize my time with friends and family while I was away from the NICU. Because the town is nestled in the Sonoran Desert, there are so many things to see and do here to rest and recover on days off. Some of the most popular outdoor activities here include: Playing a round of golf  at one of the 40 beautiful courses in the area. Hiking through the desert, forests, and mountains ( Saguaro National Park  and the Coronado National Forest  are two of my favorite sites to explore). Biking on the protected 131-mile trail called “ The Loop ”.  Grabbing fresh produce or artisan goods at a farmers market .  Going horseback riding  through one of the local ranches.  ♡ Tucson is a cultural hub of music, art, food, and drinks.  Known as the Old Pueblo for its Spanish and Native American history, Tucson has an incredible heritage and culture full of art and music. It’s also been rated as the sixth best food city  in the U.S. by Travel+Leisure — you know I love good tacos and margaritas! The three main hospitals in the area are located in the heart of the city, which make it easy to grab tasty food on a lunch break or listen to a local musician after a long shift! Nursing can be tough, and everyone needs a bit of fun on their days off! Events like the Tucson Folk Festival  and the Tucson Mariachi Conference  are fun to visit with friends and family. On easier and more relaxed days, it’s easy to step out and grab fresh produce or artisan goods at a farmers market . ♡ There are endless networking opportunities to help your nursing career flourish. Networking is the name of the game when it comes to finding a new job  or taking the next step in your nursing career. With three major medical centers and The University of Arizona on your doorstep, you’ll be presented with a variety of conferences, seminars, and other education events  that can help you envision yourself in the next stage of your professional nursing journey. Become a Nurse in Tucson and See Your Career Thrive It’s easy to talk about a place you love. For me, my time in Tucson was invaluable and it made me the clinician I am today. If you’re stuck in a rut, are feeling burned out, or are just looking to take the next step in your nursing journey, I fully recommend transforming your career in Tucson. Here, you can find out more about nursing opportunities in Tucson  and discover additional perks of living and working in this bustling and beautiful city.  Tori Meskin, MSN, RNC-NIC, has been a passionate NICU clinician since 2012, specializing in acute care and inpatient neonatal settings throughout Southern California. Board-certified in neonatal intensive care, she also brings extensive experience as a travel NICU nurse. Tori is the co-founder of NICUity, a modern resource hub empowering NICU professionals with hands-on tools, education, and community support. As a mother, wife, and entrepreneur, she shares her journey balancing life at the bedside with motherhood, marriage, content creation, and building a brand. Discover her latest tips, tools, and insights at www.tipsfromtori.com  or reach out at abbysocialmgmt@gmail.com .

Becoming a mother is truly  life-changing. It’s that kind of moment you dream about, talk about, and yet—when it happens—words somehow still fall short. When I gave birth to my daughter, it was the most emotional, sacred, and surreal experience of my life. And like many new moms, I wanted something meaningful to mark that moment forever—a push present  that wasn’t just beautiful, but symbolic and lasting. As someone who’s always been sentimental (and a low-key jewelry collector since my early twenties), many of my favorite pieces are tied to milestones—graduating nursing school, getting married, family heirlooms passed down. So when it came to celebrating the birth of my daughter Sloane, I knew I wanted something next level . Graceful. Simple. Timeless. A piece I could wear every day, layer with ease, and one day hand down to her. My Favorite Push Present: A Morse Code Necklace by Elliot Young Jewelry I’ve loved Elliot Young Jewelry for years—they’ve always struck the perfect balance between edgy, fine, and meaningful. While searching for the perfect push present, I came across their Morse Code Collection  and instantly had an idea: Elliot Young x Nurse Tori: Let’s Make it Personal Could we customize a piece to spell out Sloane’s name in Morse Code?  The answer: Yes. And it turned out even more stunning than I imagined. This necklace is more than just jewelry—it tells a secret story. ✨ Each bead represents a dot or dash in Morse Code. To the world, it’s a sleek, two-toned piece. But to me? It holds my daughter’s name—close to my heart, in the most subtle, sentimental way. Sleek, personalized, and Two-Tone. Morse Code Necklace! They curated the perfect neclact that spells Sloane's name in mores code! How special is this. When translated, these sequences reveal a hidden message. This hidden aspect adds an element of surprise and mystery, and unique storytelling. Morse Code Necklace Details: ♡ Spell out your baby’s name, initials, or a special word  in Morse Code ♡ 14K yellow and white gold beads  in a custom Morse pattern ♡ S parkly 14K gold chain   (18") ♡ Lobster clasp closure ♡ Arrives with a Morse Code translation card  and logo gift pouch ♡ Made in the USA ♡ Perfect for stacking or wearing solo Every necklace is handmade and totally one-of-a-kind—so each piece is as unique as your journey into motherhood. To see the pattern of the word you choose before you purchase, you can type in your word on this website Why I Love It: ♡ It’s not just jewelry—it’s a story. ♡ It feels private , like a love letter in code. ♡ It’s fine jewelry (aka no green neck or fading chains here). ♡ It’s something I can pass down to Sloane someday. Elliot Young x Nurse Tori: Let’s Make it Personal I was so excited to team up with Elliot Young Jewelry  to help other mamas create their own custom Morse Code piece. Whether you're celebrating the arrival of a baby, honoring a loved one, or just want a beautiful reminder of your strength—this necklace is it . Plus you can help make an impact! And because I love sharing things that make an impact...Their mission goes beyond style—they’re committed to making a positive impact through their Elliot Young Impact Program , giving back to schools, youth orgs, and communities in need. As moms raising the next generation, we love to see it. ✨ Use code: NURSETORI to save 20% off   your custom Morse Code Necklace! ( P.S. it also makes an amazing Mother’s Day or baby shower gift. ) A Few Notes Before You Order: This is fine jewelry , not costume—so the quality and  price reflect that. Each necklace is custom-made by hand , so be sure to order ahead (especially for a specific date or event!) Every name or word will look a little different, making your piece totally one-of-a-kind. Ready to Shop? Head to Elliot Young Jewelry   and customize your own Morse Code Necklace. And don’t forget to use code TORI20  for 20% off! Because motherhood deserves to be celebrated—and remembered—in the most meaningful way. To see the pattern of the word you choose before you purchase, you can type in your word on this website Tori Meskin, MSN, RNC-NIC, has been a passionate NICU clinician since 2012, specializing in acute care and inpatient neonatal settings throughout Southern California. Board-certified in neonatal intensive care, she also brings extensive experience as a travel NICU nurse. Tori is the co-founder of NICUity, a modern resource hub empowering NICU professionals with hands-on tools, education, and community support. As a mother, wife, and entrepreneur, she shares her journey balancing life at the bedside with motherhood, marriage, content creation, and building a brand. Discover her latest tips, tools, and insights at www.tipsfromtori.com  or reach out at abbysocialmgmt@gmail.com

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is probably the last place you or your loved ones pictured themselves after having a baby. A hospital unit full of alarms, tubes, electrodes, ventilators, and beeps is not quite the cozy nursery vibe you anticipated. Unfortunately, things don’t always go according to plan. This NICU period can be one of the most stressful times of a parent’s life. Each day can be overwhelming, full of happy milestones and moments of grief. From my nursing experience, NICU parents crave one thing during this stressful period — for things to feel “normal” again, or as normal as is possible given their new circumstances. With limited control over their environment, this can be challenging for them to achieve. So, what can you do to help?! While you can’t change their situation, you can help them connect with their new parenting journey. While they may have a fully stocked nursery at home, these items often aren’t able to be used with NICU patients.  With inspiration from my experiences as a new mom and as a NICU nurse, I’ve decided to compile a fun list of things you can gift your favorite NICU baby or family! These items are things that can be used at the bedside and for months and years to come. Let’s dive in. NICU GIFTS FOR YOUR FAVORITE LITTLE FIGHTER 1. Finn the Panda Finn the Panda was developed to help comfort babies during hospital stays, as well as to foster the bond between the baby and their caregivers, even when they have to be apart. It features: Antimicrobial material to help prevent the spread of germs to the baby. A washable heart-shaped scent patch that can be detached and worn then reattached to the bear. A recording device that allows a song or comforting words of up to one minute to be played back once or on repeat.  Contrasting black and white colors that appeal to baby's early vision.  100% cashmere, made to be amazingly soft and cuddly Sealed packaging that reduces microbial exposure during package delivery.  As a mom who spent several months of her son’s first year of life in the hospital, Michelle knew the stress and pressure of hospital parenting. So, she developed Finn the Panda! 1. SCENT: The scent patch can be worn in place of a breast pad, or under any garment, to absorb your smell and can be reattached to the bear to provide your scent in baby’s incubator or crib.  Research has shown that the pheromones a mother exudes after birth are recognizable by her individual baby and can release endorphins in the baby’s brain. 2. SOUND: Your baby has heard the comfort of your voice in the womb and it is the most recognizable sound to their little ears.  Record a lullaby or soft words for your baby and play it back once or on repeat, to help soothe baby to sleep, comfort baby during nurse cares, or just give you a few minutes away. 3. SIGHT: Research has proven that black and white contrasts register powerfully on baby’s retina and send the strongest visual signals to baby’s brain. Stronger signals mean more brain growth and faster visual development. High contrast shapes and patterns provide the baby with something simple and engaging to focus on, and in this focus – or intense concentration – they can allow their minds to rest. High contrast shapes are designed to hold babies’ attention. USE CODE: NURSE TORI (FOR 20% OFF YOUR PURCHASE!) 2. BEB ORGANIC SKIN CARE PRODUCTS When preemies are first born, their skin is extremely thin and delicate, which makes them prone to skin tears, infections, and rashes. One of the most important ways we can protect newborn skin is by keeping it clean! As a clinical skincare brand made with meticulously sourced natural ingredients, BEB Organic serves families by providing luxuriously healthy products and educating parents and professionals on the powerful benefits of a caring and sensitive touch. Chosen by America’s top hospital NICUs for uncompromising standards, all BEB Organic products are packed with PHYTOCURA™ and crafted of pure, luxuriously healthy ingredients. As one might expect, these soothing formulas have proven to work wonders for skin of all ages in need of extra love. I originally discovered BEB products while working bedside as a NICU nurse. After researching the product, speaking with the CEO, and learning about this infant skin care line, I can genuinely say these are (first hand) amazing products for ALL babies. It makes bath time in the hospital extra special for babies and their parents. I have personally used these products and discovered this line while using it at the bedside in a hospital setting who supplied it to their patients. I can say first hand, these products are wonderful! 3. PREEMIE PACIFIERS Sucking is a form of self soothing, especially for preemie babies who might not be able to drink milk yet! While hospitals offer their own preemie pacifiers, it could be fun to spruce up their pacifier game with a cute one!! My favorite pacifier brand is the Ryan and Rose Cutie PAT - this is a NICU baby product I have recommended for years! RYAN AND ROSE The Cutie Pacifier and Teether (PAT) is a multifunctional pacifier made for two different stages of development: Stage 1 and Stage 2. The Cutie PAT pacifier is made with 100% medical grade silicone. It is safe, non-toxic, and free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, and latex. I have watched this family owned company grow for years and have given many Cutie PATs to my favorite NICU families. The gift is always a big hit — as a new parent, you can never have too many pacifiers! 4. SWADDLE BLANKETS Babies (preemies included) crave boundaries. They seek containment and comfort. One way to provide this is bringing everything "back to core" — this means keeping arms & legs flexed inwards in a relaxed manner just as they were in the womb. Although there’s never a shortage of baby blankets in the hospital setting, it can be fun for parents to add a personal touch for their little one with a fun blanket. If you’re looking to gift your favorite NICU patient a new swaddle blanket, I recommend those made of cotton, muslin and or bamboo cotton blends. These materials breathe well and keep from overheating in their little cocoon. I’ve listed a few of my favorite swaddle blanket brands below, but feel free to choose designs or colors that match the little one’s personality the best! 5. PERFECTLY PREEMIE ONSIES It may be a while until your favorite little fighter can wear (or fit into) a onsie, but once he or she does, the fun can begin! Several companies now offer "preemie" sizes and a fun array of colors, patterns, and styles. However, my favorite brand is “Perfectly Preemie.” This is unique line of preemie clothing to help babies (and their nurses) battle the many lines, tubes, and wires involved in a NICU admission. Perfectly Preemie Clothing Since 1993, Perfectly Preemie has conducted medical research, collaborated with NICU staff, and surveyed with NICU parents to determine just what a preemie needs in regard to their clothing and accessories. Their specially designed onesie line meets all of the requirements for babies in the NICU, while still looking cute! 6. BONDING LOVEY SCENT CLOTHS At birth, a baby is drawn to and is soothed by their mother's scent. Building a close connection through scent is a way to create a wonderful bond while the baby is receiving care in the NICU! Bonding scent cloths allow infants to bond with their caregiver’s smell from the comfort and warmth of their hospital incubator. Parents can place these soft pieces of cloth on their own skin and then leave them with their infant to provide scent comfort while they are away. Whether the parent is an adoptive mother, a single father, two mothers, adoptive guardians - it doesn’t matter. If you want to help build a bond between a baby and their caregiver, scent is the easiest way to do it.  7. WHITE NOISE MACHINE Once a baby is an appropriate age (older than 34 weeks), an infant white noise machine  is a great gift to consider! Why? Soft low tones are soothing to an infant and helps them to rest their minds while promoting a healthy sleep pattern. Sounds that mimic a natural environment can help create a relaxing, soothing environment for NICU babies. Adjustable volume settings allow you mask background noise and the craze of the hospital environment. 8. WUBBANUB Babies, parents, and NICU nurses all love WubbaNubs! Why? These stuffed animal and pacifier combinations help to keep the peace when patients need soothing. They’re easy to grasp, offer great support for the pacifier, and provide soft, gentle comfort to little ones. In addition, parents aren’t always at the bedside to hold, comfort, and soothe their little one. WubbaNubs help us nurses at the bedside to maintain an infant’s comfort, keep their pacifier in place, and promote restful sleep.  9. A MIRROR One of the greatest feelings for NICU babies and their parents is the first SKIN TO SKIN contact, what we often call "Kangaroo Care." Skin-to-skin contact involves keeping babies chest-to-chest & skin-to-skin with a parent. The benefits of this close contact include: warmth, stability of vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, increased oxygen saturation), increased time spent in deep sleep, decreased irritability and crying, increased weight gain, increased milk supply for mother, and better coordination for feedings! To help parents get the most out of their bonding moment, NICU nurses often encourage the use of a mirror (while they hold their baby) to allow them to see their loved one’s tiny face in full range. This small simple tool is a very helpful & useful gift to use while performing Kangaroo Care. Some NICUs do provide these, but many NICUs can’t afford to offer each family a mirror. While they don’t cost much more than a few dollars, you can make a huge difference in their bonding experience.   10. WATER WIPES New scientific evidence has shown that limiting scents, perfumes, dyes, or other chemicals on infants skin is essential. Our preemie patient population has extremely sensitive skin and skin irritation & breakdown is one of our biggest priorities. Many NICUs have moved to using "water wipes," or some form of wipe with water for all diaper changes. Several companies offer sensitive water wipes that are perfect for tiny NICU patients! I prefer the Pampers Aqua Pure variety. 11. GLASS BOTTLES With new research coming out about plastics & the long-term effects it has on our health, many providers are starting to recommend using glass milk bottles. As a parent and a NICU nurse, I am a BIG fan of using glass over plastic. Many top brands also offer "slow flow nipples," which helps when feeding babies who are new to drinking milk or for those who may be struggling to swallow with normal flow nipples. Best Glass Milk Bottles: Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottles  Baby Brezza Glass Baby Bottle Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Anti-Colic Bottles 12. BOPPY OR "BREAST FRIEND" PILLOW One of the most exciting moments for any new mom is the opportunity to feed her baby for the first time. Nursing pillows  are immensely popular with new moms because they offer comfort & convenience. Figuring out which one to choose can be difficult, especially when many moms are passionate about which one is their favorite. The two most popular varieties are the Boppy pillow and the Breast Friend pillow. Boppy vs. Breast Friend: Key Differences The "Boppy" pillow  looks like travel neck pillows – a C-shaped doughnut. These pillows have so many uses and are well worth the money spent on them. They are most commonly used to prop up a baby while breastfeeding  or bottle feeding, but can also be used to prop up babies during tummy time. You can buy a separate slipcover to allow these pillows to be easily cleaned in the event of a spit up or diaper blowout. Boppy pillows aren’t big enough to go all the way around you, so you’ll need a separate pillow if you want to support your back. Alternatively, the Breast Friend pillow  is a bit different in terms of overall design but is used for the same purposes. Unlike the Boppy, the top side of a Brest Friend pillow is flat, which means your baby stays where you put her without rolling around while trying to feed. The Brest Friend also has two added features that I love – a snap that secures the pillow in place, and a full wrap-around design, giving breast feeding moms much-needed back support.  Whichever support pillow you choose, your gift will surely be appreciated by any new NICU mom! 13. NICU MILESTONE CARDS Welcoming a baby into the world is full of special moments. Although having a baby in the NICU is a difficult time for families, there are many special moments to capture & treasure. Printable milestone cards are designed to help you celebrate all of the successes on your baby's journey. With colorful backgrounds and simple designs, they help to make the challenging journey a little easier. NICU is all about the milestones! Example Milestones Include: - weeks one to six - months one to three - forty weeks corrected - today I am breathing on my own - today I had my first bath - today I was weighed for the first time - I am ventilator free today - today I had my first snuggle with Mom - today I had my first snuggle with Dad - I wore my first outfit today - today I breastfed for the first time - today I had milk for the first time - my first kangaroo cuddle - I had my first pacifier today - today I am wire free - I had my first sleepover - I am all ready for the carseat today - Hooray, I gained weight today - I am going home today 14. Montessori Mobile Just because a baby is receiving care in the NICU does not mean that they don’t need or deserve the brain development and stimulation toys that other babies have. Especially as babies get older and develop from their initial preemie phase, a hanging mobile  can provide the visual distraction and stimulation needed for healthy brain development. These are especially helpful at distracting babies when they require blood draws, dressing changes, or any bedside procedures. I hope you enjoyed this list of Tips and Tricks for your mighty. Now- Go Treat Your Favorite NICU Family! I hope you enjoyed reading about my favorite preemie gifts for your mighty NICU baby! Many of these products are offered on Amazon (Nurse Tori NICU Amazon Gifts & Tips)  and have been linked to my Tips from Tori Amazon page. All products included are my own recommendations and do not represent the views of employers.  This blog includes affiliate links — rest assured that all of my professional partnerships are with companies I love, use  myself and recommend to those I care for most! Feel  fr ee to see my full   disclaimer   if you have any questions or concerns, or contact me with any feedback! NICU Essential Resources American Academy of Pediatrics Academy of Neonatal Nursing Childhood & Adult Immunization CDC Guidelines March of Dimes! Resources for parents & providers Access 1,300+ Drugs with Easy-to-Understand Lactation Risk Categories National Association of Neonatal Nurses National Certification Corporation - NICU National certifications for experienced nurses NICU University & Peds University Vermont Oxford Network - 1,300 hospitals collaborating around the world! Tori's Tips on NICU NURSE 101: See Blog Post ​ Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, S ponsored Capella University MSN student , a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com Instagram @nurse.tori_

Do you want to become a nurse but not sure what type of job you’re looking for?  Are you an experienced nurse facing burnout and looking for a fresh start? Let me tell you, there’s more to nursing than just scrubs and stethoscopes. The beauty of nursing is that there are so many fulfilling roles to take on. This is the reason many of us became nurses in the first place. Nursing has gone through significant changes over the course of the 20th century. The role of the nurse was relatively limited in decades past. Previously, typical duties included administering medications, checking vital signs , and simply following the directions of the physician in charge.  Now, clinicians collect raw data, interpret findings, make diagnoses, and establish treatment plans. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the profession has continued to elevate its standards and offers the professional opportunities many of us are looking for.  So — What Does This Mean? As a veteran nurse, I’ve seen that the most common reason for individuals leaving the profession is burnout and emotional fatigue. We’ve all gone through tough shifts that leave us fried, numb, and frustrated. We’ve all had feelings of deep dread going into work, impending doom after a rough shift & thoughts like, "Is this really what I want to do the REST of my life?" The expectations seem to keep going up and up for bedside nurses, and people are leaving the profession altogether. So what can you do if you’re looking for a change? I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again — SHIFT AND PIVOT! Research new jobs, spruce up your portfolio, and dig deep to find out the move that makes the most sense for YOU! Once you realize how many options are out there, you may even feel a sense of freedom and excitement! One principle that will always exist in society is the necessity for those who care for physical and mental health. As a nurse, our holistic approach to caring for the body is appreciated by so many people and is being integrated into all sorts of new roles.  Curious what types of opportunities  are available? Check out these 51 nursing roles to spice up your career and make a change for the better! 51 ROLES A NURSE CAN CONSIDER! 1. Staff Nurse (ICU, NICU, PICU, L&D, pediatrics, med-surg, oncology, OR, ED, outpatient, you name it!) Most of us start here in our careers! While you may be burned out from being a bedside nurse there are so many different specialties you can transition to depending on where you have experience. Switching hospitals or departments is probably the easiest move to make as a nurse, as jobs are always available and facilities are always looking for new, excited staff to join their team! 2. Nurse Entrepreneurs Nurse entrepreneurs apply their nursing backgrounds and professional experiences to create a healthcare business. Much like entrepreneurs in other industries, they identify a need in the marketplace, conceptualize how to solve current problems, and build a business that meets these needs. They may offe r independent nursing services, such as private home care or consulting, or create and sell medical devices or hygiene products. 3. Transcultural Nurse Transcultural  nursing is a distinct specialty that focuses on celebrating cultural differences and incorporating culturally competent principles and values into care practices. These nurses often treat patients who are new to an area due to migration, immigration, or are refugees from an area of war or violence. As the world becomes more ethnically and culturally diverse, these nurses are always in high demand, especially in cities and urban areas.   4. Health Policy Nurse Health policy nurses  work to review and revise healthcare laws, policies, and regulations. Their goal is to improve care access and quality by enhancing care guidelines. They can work at the facility, region, state, federal, or global level — the opportunities are endless!  5. Fertility Nurse Fertility nurses help  facilitate the egg donation and implantation process, providing support and guidance to couples looking to conceive. Reproductive nurses  work with a team of specialized healthcare professionals in fertility  clinics, obstetric/gynecology offices, or egg donor centers. 6. Substance Abuse Nurse Substance abuse nurses provide emotional support and rehabilitative care to individuals who struggle with substance use. Because caring for patients requires knowledge of general medicine and psychology, substance abuse nurses receive training in both disciplines.  7. Genetic Nurse A genetics nurse is an RN with additional training and education in genetics. Genetic nurses care for patients who are at risk for or are affected by hereditary diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. In addition to providing direct patient care, genetics nurses also perform risk assessments, analyze the results and counsel patients on the ongoing management of their conditions or conditions they may be at risk for. 8. Research Nurse Research nurses   work collaboratively with physicians, research assistants, pharmacists, and data analysts to coordinate care for patients who are enrolled in IRB clinical research trials. These nurses assist in the assessment, management and coordination of care across the continuum (outpatient, inpatient and home health), including triage and proactive patient communication. 9. Occupational Health Nurse Occupational health nurses provide care to employees and workers of a particular company or organization. They focus on promoting health, preventing ailments and injuries, and protecting workers from occupation-related and environmental hazards. They also help ensure that employees who are injured on the job get the care they need and assist with disability forms and other insurance paperwork.  10. Nurse Health Coach Nurse  coaches use a variety of health -promotion and illness-prevention strategies to help their patients improve their overall health and well-being. They can work independently or through a health agency and may practice virtually (phone calls or telehealth video platforms) or provide in-person care. 11. Nurse Informaticist A nurse informaticist is someone skilled at identifying care deficiencies and innovating technological advancements to meet the needs of the changing healthcare environment. They act as liaisons between healthcare providers and technology companies to design products, tools, and charting platforms that improve the care delivery process. 12. Telemedicine Nurse Telehealth nurses, sometimes referred to as virtual care nurses, provide support and care to patients from a remote location. These nurses often work through email, video, or telephone platforms to triage patient needs and help find the care they need. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, this specialty has exploded, so there’s always an array of jobs available! 1 3. Nurse Writer A nurse writer creates informative content for nurses, patients and healthcare administrators to learn about healthcare specific news and policy changes. Sometimes these writers create clinical content, while others specialize in subjects like healthcare law or healthcare finance. This is a great path for someone who wants to step away from patient care and live with a more flexible lifestyle and schedule. 14. Infusion Therapy Nurse Infusion nurses provide medications through IVs, ports, and PICC lines. They often work in oncology offices, blood donation centers, or wellness clinics but can also provide home-based care to those that aren’t able to leave home. An infusion nurse is an integral member of the health care team and collaborates with physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists to ensure the vascular access device and medication being infused are the best options for the patient’s unique needs.  15.  Military, Navy, Air Force Reserve Nurse The Nurse Corps has five Reserve components and, although similar, each branch has its own commitment requirements: Army Reserve Navy Reserve Air force Reserve Air National Guard Army National Guard This is a great opportunity for nurses looking to gain leadership skills, travel the world, and serve their country. 16. Nurse Executive A nurse executive  often holds the most senior nursing position in their place of employment, and can even hold a title such as Director of Nursing. In order to be an effective nurse executive , RNs must clearly and effectively communicate with their nursing staff to help provide the best patient care possible.  This is obviously a role for those with clinical experience, but anyone can become an administrator after working for a few years. A good way to get started on this career path is to get involved in your organization’s nursing councils or committees. 17. Nurse Consultant Nurse consultants identify care delivery problems and develop solutions to improve patient outcomes. They usually work remotely but may also be asked to attend meetings and inspections at a hospital or care facility.  18. Aesthetic Nurse Aesthetic nurses provide cosmetic treatments and beauty services  to patients. While most work in private health clinics or offices, some work in plastic surgery centers. Common tasks include providing facials, injectables (fillers), Botox, and waxing services to patients. 19. Insurance Nurse Insurance nurses, formally known as legal nurse consultants (LNCs), provide assistance to law firms, government offices, and insurance companies. A legal nurse consultant has training as a registered nurse and provides an important service related to analyzing health care facts, issues, and outcomes for those in the legal and healthcare professions. Many nurses I know who work in this specialty do this in addition to their bedside jobs as supplemental income as the hours may fluctuate. 20. Quality Management Nurse A quality management nurse collaborates with a variety of healthcare professionals to improve care safety and quality. They investigate safety events and work to minimize future harm by collecting data and educating bedside clinicians. 21. Correctional Nurse Correctional nurses work in prisons, jails, and state penitentiaries, providing care to inmates and staff. Correctional nursing activities include patient assessment, medication administration, treatments and evaluation of their effects, crisis intervention, patient education and patient advocacy. This specialty is not for the faint of heart and comes with safety risks, but is known for being incredibly rewarding. 22. Postpartum Nurse A postpartum nurse cares for a mother and their newborn baby after the birthing period. These nurses utilize a strong set of skills to recognize and act upon postpartum emergencies for both patients. A large part of this nurse's job is teaching new mothers how to properly care for herself and their newborn after the delivery. 23. Cruise Ship Nurse Cruise ships are pretty much small cities floating in the water with the average cruise ship holding around 3,000 guests and crew members. Medical emergencies don’t stop on vacation, and as a cruise ship nurse you’d be there to get travellers back on their feet. Nurses who are looking to escape busy EDs and hospitals might find working on a cruise ship to be a dream job. 24. Forensic Nurse Consultant Forensic nurses care for patients who have been victimized by trauma, violence, and abuse. They often have experience working in the criminal justice system and are on the front lines when victims of crimes need help the most. They provide sensitive, compassionate care while meticulously collecting relevant evidence that may be needed later in court. Some forensic nurses choose to specialize in sexual assault/trauma by becoming certified as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). 25. School Nurse School nurses care for children who fall ill or get injured while at school. They assist with medication distribution and communicate health concerns to parents and guardians. One of the major perks of being a school nurse is that you would follow the school calendar and usually wouldn’t have to work during school breaks and the summer holidays. 26. Emergency Flight & Transport Nurse A flight nurse is an RN  who provides emergency critical care to patients prior to arriving at the hospital. They usually work in helicopters, airplanes, and ambulances and are either employed by a healthcare facility or a third-party transport company. Check out the Podcast, featuring Samantha Manassero, Episode # 7  For all things Emergency Flight & Transport Nurse, FIRST HAND! 27. Triage Nurse A triage nurse  is a clinical health care professional who assesses patients and evaluates their symptoms to determine the level of care they need. They can work in emergency departments, with transport teams, with community health agencies, or may even work remotely. 28. Pain Management Nurse Pain management nurses are clinicians who specialize in the care of patients with chronic or acute pain. They are experts on pain management interventions and techniques and collaborate with doctors and surgeons to optimize a patient’s pain control to get them back to normal functioning as soon as possible. 29. Transplant Coordinator A transplant coordinator plans and coordinates all facets of care for potential and active transplant candidates and recipients. They manage referrals and evaluations, collect pre-transplant data, and coordinate the post-operative care delivery for patients after they have their surgery. While transplant coordinators don’t necessarily need to have a nursing background, many facilities look to hire nurses who have worked in transplant units for their high level of experience.   30. Psychiatric Nurse Psychiatric nurses specialize in mental health and care for individuals of all ages experiencing mental illnesses or distress. Common diagnoses you’d be expected to treat include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts or ideation, psychosis, paranoia, and self-harm. 31. Infectious Control Nurse Sometimes referred to as infection control specialists or nurse infection preventionists, infection control nurses work to prevent, contain, and treat infectious diseases caused by agents like bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. These clinicians must demonstrate a thorough understanding of anatomy, epidemiology, and pathophysiology. They also need to stay up-to-date on the latest infection prevention techniques to ensure patients receive the safest care possible. 32. Health Administration Nurse Healthcare administrators are concerned with day-to-day operations at a care facility. Their primary focus is to optimize staff management and administrative procedures to streamline care delivery. They usually report to healthcare managers or executives, and work within individual departments as supervisors or managerial support. 33. Disaster Management Disaster management nurses specialize in preparing facilities and clinical teams for emergency events like natural disasters, pandemics, and mass injury situations. Their primary duties include creating emergency preparedness protocols and educating clinicians on how to execute these plans in the event of a disaster.  34. Certified Nurse Midwife A midwife is a nurse who provides care to pregnant women and their families, assisting with all stages of the pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum process. They provide lactation support, manage pain, and educate mothers and their partners how to provide safe infant care. In the U.S., certified nurse midwives (CNMs) have earned an advanced degree in addition to their traditional nursing education. 35. Plastic Surgery Nurse A plastic surgery nurse specializes in the reconstruction or restoration of a patient’s body. These nurses provide two types of treatment: Essential, critical treatment after motor vehicle accidents, burns, and other major traumas Aesthetic treatment to enhance the features of a patient at their request These clinicians can work in acute care hospitals, surgical centers, aesthetic clinics, and med spas. 36. Public Health Nurse Public health nurses help to develop health policies, advocate for health access, and educate policymakers on community health needs. They work at the local, regional, state, and federal levels to improve care quality and health outcomes of the population they care for. Topics of interest include:  Immunizations Infection prevention Environmental health  Opioid crisis response Sexual health promotion 37. Camp Nurse Camp nurses care for children and teens in a camp environment. These roles are usually temporary and can include seasonal work or contract work that lasts from days to months at a time. These camps house children, staff, and administrators in a setting that may be in the wilderness or some distance from a hospital or health clinic, so camp nurses are crucial for these populations. Common duties include administering medication, providing first aid, and intervening during emergencies. 38. N urse Coder A nurse coder is a clinician who translates diagnoses, procedures, and treatments into medical codes. They work to ensure the providers they work for get paid correctly for the services they provide. They also assist with billing and insurance claims. This is a non-clinical role. 39. Advanced nurse lactation consultant (ANLC) An advanced nurse lactation consultant (ANLC) is a nurse who has also earned their CLC or IBCLC in lactation management. They work to manage complex issues related to breastfeeding and human lactation. They often work in labor and delivery units or NICUs, but can also work privately, consulting in patient homes. 40. Hospice Nurse A hospice nurse cares for people who have been diagnosed with six months or less to live and have chosen hospice care at the end of life. Hospice nurses focus on providing comfort and enhancing quality of life rather than on curing disease or promoting healing.  They provide individualized care based on each person’s unique needs and work closely with each patient’s family members to establish a plan of care that meets the patient’s wishes. 41. Dialysis Nurse Dialysis nurses manage patients who are undergoing dialysis treatments. They have a thorough understanding of kidney functioning and are familiar wi th the signs and symptoms of fluid imbalance. They must know how to work the dialysis machine and troubleshoot in the event of a malfunction or emergency. These nurses work in acute care centers, dialysis clinics, or in a private health environment, administering dialysis in patient’s homes. 42. Travel Nurse Travel nurses  are registered nurses  who work in short-term roles at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities around the world. Travel nurses  help fill gaps in areas where there are nursing shortages and are usually employed by a third-party staffing agency instead of the hospital that they work in. Contract lengths can last from a single week to months at a time, depending on the needs of the hospital and the preferences of the travel nurse. This is a great opportunity for nurses who have worked for a few years and are looking to make a better salary while traveling around the country. 43. Vascular Access Nurse Vascular access nurses help insert IV catheters, PICC lines, port devices, and central line catheters. They generally work in acute care hospitals but can also work in specialty clinics or can provide care in patient homes. 44. Case Manager Case managers are registered nurses who work to coordinate the plan of care for patients. They ensure that patients get prompt and cost-effective treatment, prepare for discharge and have the supplies they need, and reduce the need for hospital readmission by following up with patients after they’ve gone home. They collaborate with the interdisciplinary team and insurance providers to resolve barriers to care and ensure appropriate interventions are made.  45. Concierge Nurse Concierge nurses provide individualized, non-emergency care to patients in their homes. They can provide a variety of specialty services, including wound care treatment, orthopedic rehab, infusion treatments, and medication administration. These nurses can work independently or can partner with an agency. This is a great option for nurses looking to set their own schedule and pay rate. 46. Wound Care Nurse Wound care nurses care for burns, wounds, sores, and incisions. They focus on assessing wounds, choosing the medication or ointment best suited to heal each injury, and dressing wounds with the proper bandages. These hospitals tend to work in acute care hospitals or long-term care facilities, but can also work for home health agencies. 47. Nurse Content Creator Nurse content creators share their nursing knowledge and experience on social media or in a blog, helping to empower those looking to become nurses or those just looking for a bit more insight into what goes on in the healthcare industry.  This is a rapidly growing profession, and nurses share their insights across platforms  like Instagram, Tik Tok, Pinterest, Lemonade, and Youtube. In this role, nurses generally work for themselves and are able to release content on their time. Many clinicians form partnerships with big companies and make money promoting their goods or services. 48. Nurse Coroner Nurse coroners work with law enforcement representatives, autopsy specialists, and other forensic investigators to shed light on the causes and circumstances surrounding an individual’s death. Usually, these clinicians work to identify the cause of death for people involved in accidents, homicides, suicides, or those that died under suspicious or unexplained circumstances. Their work helps to influence the development of laws, policies, and risk prevention strategies to prevent future incidents. 49. Clinical Editor Nurses are often hired by scholarly journals, databases, publishers, and healthcare organizations to edit and peer-review their content. As an expert in his or her specialty, a nurse editor is responsible for developing and maintaining proprietary clinical content as well as critically appraising the work of others. Most nurse editors work from home in a remote capacity. It’s important to note that these positions sometimes require an advanced degree, so be sure to check the job requirements for a position you’re interested in before applying to ensure you’re qualified.  50. Nursing Educator Nurse educators teach prospective nurses and those working at the bedside how to perform clinical skills. They can work for universities or health systems and can serve as clinical instructors, professors, or unit educators. 51 . Fitness Nurse Fitness nurses, sometimes called health coaches, work to promote patient health and wellness through fitness, mobility, and lifestyle education. They empower individuals and communities to adopt healthier habits to live more robust, fulfilling lives. Tori's Tips on NICU NURSE 101: See Blog Post ​ Tori Meskin MSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Content Creator. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, S ponsored Capella University MSN student , a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com Instagram @nurse.tori_

Back to the Dark Side! Night Shift Life. Survival Guide. Working the night shift is not for the faint of heart. Many of us in the healthcare field work on "the dark side," whether we want to or not. No matter what time you’re expected to show up for work, we all have to report for duty fully rested and prepared to give our best.  It’s imperative for those of us who work the night shift to get sufficient sleep, eat healthy meals, exercise, prioritize our mental health, and sustain close relationships. These things are hard enough to do on a normal schedule, and even more difficult for those of use with nontraditional work schedules.   While some true night owls prefer working while the world sleeps, most of us find it challenging to work through the night. If you are like me, you might find yourself spending a large chunk of time off recovering from the “jet lag” you feel after working a night shift.  Still, there are ways to prioritize your health and wellbeing  while working at night. You may even find ways to enjoy the night shift lifestyle! Here, I share a few key tips I have learned from working as a night shifter over the years that have helped me get through the work week. Hopefully, they’ll help you as much as they’ve helped me! 11 TIPS FOR NIGHT SHIFT WORKERS 1. ESTABLISH A ROUTINE This is easier said than done, but is always important to consider! Try to maintain a consistent schedule for working, sleeping, and recovering. This will obviously vary as you can’t predict every detail life will throw at you, but there are some things you can do to help yourself establish a routine.  For me the biggest tip here is to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day that you work .  Some nurses prefer to maintain their daytime sleep schedule on off days to keep their bodies and minds ready for work, while others prefer to adjust their schedule to match that of their family members and friends. The take home point here is to convince your body that it’s “bedtime” when you get home from work so that you are in a position to get a long, uninterrupted rest during the day. 2. MAKE YOUR BEDROOM A SANCTUARY Learning how to adapt to a different sleep schedule is one of the hardest obstacles that a night shift worker must master – especially since our sleeping pattern is one that is opposite to that of the majority of the population, including our family and friends.  The greatest threat to our health as night shifters is chronic sleep deprivation. Risks of sleep deprivation include increased chances of being involved in a car accident. These risks become exponentially higher as our lack of sleep worsens. Because most nurses drive to and from work, this impacts us on a huge scale, and is definitely something we should consider when starting out as a night shift nurse. One of the most frustrating things about trying to sleep as a new night shifter is that no matter how tired I was, no matter how hard I’d try to sleep, I’d often lay awake in the middle of the day thinking about the things I need to do, wishing I could enjoy the sunshine beating through my window. The only thing that helped me to sleep and turn my brain off was turning my bedroom into a sanctuary. This involved: Making the room dark (blackout blinds/curtains are a must). Making the room cold. Putting clean, soft sheets on the bed. Wearing an eye mask and earplugs. Using soft lighting like a salt lamp . Using apps like Calm or Headspace, or a white noise machine to fall asleep. If you have a partner or kids, make sure to let everyone know that your bedroom is off limits during the day while you sleep. Those of us that have worked night shift for years know that once you wake up, it’s difficult to fall back asleep. 3 . MEAL PREP Night-shift work may alter your eating patterns and food preferences. Good meal planning and food preparation  can go a long way in ensuring healthy eating habits for night shift nurses. Before grocery shopping, make a list to help you focus on buying healthy foods. Otherwise, you may be tempted to buy overly refined sugary snacks that provide quick energy but end up giving you a sugar crash in the middle of your shift. If you feel you don’t have time to do this the right way, consider getting your groceries or meals delivered to your doorstep. You’ll want to avoid getting take out or fast food meals if you can, though I’d be lying if I didn’t get the occasional Taco Bell after a rough night shift! 4. SHIFT PREP In all of my tips, you’ll notice that preparing  for night shift  is the key to success. In addition to preparing your meals, you’ll want to have your scrubs laid out, lunch prepped, bag packed, and car full of gas. Here are a few things I ensure are in my work bag ahead of time: Airpods Phone charger Blue Light Blocking Glasses J acket / Vest Stethoscope Penlight Compression socks Water bottle Advil / Aspirin Chapstick Mouthwash (swish once a shift to decrease bacteria build up in the mouth) Favorite Pens Badge Clogs 5. ALWAYS HAVE HEALTHY "PICK-ME-UP" SNACKS ON HAND All night shifters have that “hit the wall” hour. Mine usually comes between 0200-0400 am. To help you combat the exhaustion, a “PICK ME UP” can help. For me, the top hitters are caffeine (coffee, tea, celsius drink)  and an energizing snack. I’ve crowd sourced everyone’s favorite night shift snacks  and have compiled a comprehensive list below! Chocolate Noka Superfood smoothie pouches Peanut butter cups Chocolate covered pretzels Cucumbers and hummus Tuna salad on rice cake (manage cravings) Pirates Booty Smart Sweets Boiled egg + avocado + sriracha sauce + toast Gold Fish Dried figs  Froze balls (from Trader Joes) Verb bars Gushers Chomps jalapeno jerky sticks Gum Emergen-C packs Pique tea (Sun Goddess Macha packets)  Apple + PB Avocado Toast Oatmeal  Soup   (hot or cold, depending on your preference) Protein shake 6. TAKE A BREAK OR NAP WHENEVER POSSIBLE For those of us who work long, 12-hour night shifts , breaks are essential. If you’ve read any of my other blogs, you’ll know I say this at every opportunity: don’t skip breaks or meals during your shift, and be sure to take advantage of leaving the bedside for designated rest areas when you have coverage. If you are able to, get off your feet, nap, put in some headphones, and take a few minutes to rejuvenate. You need to care for yourself, and your patients are counting on you to stay sharp. 7. FORM STRONG FRIENDSHIPS WITH YOUR CO-WORKERS Night shift people are the best kind of people! We’ve got a dark lifestyle and dark humor, which help us get through the tough nights! In all seriousness, laughing and joking with your coworkers is a HUGE  part of surviving night shift.  Forming close relationships with the nurses, doctors, secretaries, and techs on your team is one of the best things about working night shift!  It definitely helps you stay awake. Also, you’ll feel less hesitation when asking for help or bringing up a concern about a patient.  8. STAY HYDRATED! As nurses, we often overlook the importance of staying hydrated  and prioritize other things that seem more important. However, ensuring adequate hydration is the easiest way to stay awake and alert. Drinking enough water helps to regulate our body temperature, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells, and keep organs functioning properly. Experts recommend  about 11 cups (88 oz.) of water per day for the average woman and 16 cups (128 oz.) for the average man. Be sure to avoid sugary sodas and fruit juices, which can make your blood sugar spike and rapidly crash. 9. DO WHAT YOU CAN TO MAKE YOUR COMMUTE HOME SAFER At the end of your shift, you’ll be exhausted and drowsy. Make sure you take extra precautions to get home safely. I recommend: Opening care windows to get a fresh breeze in your face. Turn up the radio to stay awake. Calling a friend or family member to keep your brain active and alert.  After some incredibly rough shifts, you may not feel like you can drive safely. Don’t be too proud to take a nap in your car before leaving the parking lot or calling a car service to bring you home. 10. HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY ABOUT YOUR NEW NIGHT SHIFT LIFESTYLE Your family members, partner, or roommates will have to understand that working night shift is a lifestyle. They may be seeing less of you on certain days, and may need to work around your new sleep schedule. This isn’t always easy, and definitely requires communication to be executed effectively. It is important to get everyone on board, and it can be a hard adjustment for those that depend on you. Jacob and I share a GOOGLE CALENDAR  which is a huge life saver! We share our work schedules and plug in work outs, date nights, vacations, and appointments. We live by the calendar and rely on it to ensure we get quality time together each week! 11. DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOUR INTIMATE NEEDS (YES, I'M TALKING ABOUT LIBIDO!) A big negative of working night shift is the detrimental effect it can have on your libido, energy, and sex life. This can be a hard one  (pun intended…lol) to maintain, especially if you and your partner work opposite schedules. But it’s important for all of us to remember that sex and intimacy  are important for all of us. Make time for date nights when you can, and schedule weekend getaways like mini staycations or local trips to keep things fun. We’re Here for Every Stage of Your NICU Nursing Journey  For more info on working night shift, check out Cellfie’s full podcast episode called “Back to the Dark Side”   where we spill the tea on our best kept night shift secrets! Feel free to reach out on our NICUity nurse forum  with any questions for starting your night shift journey — we can’t wait to see you! LISTEN TO FULL EPISODE OF "BACK TO THE DARK SIDE" HERE I hope you enjoyed this blog! Leave your thoughts in the comments below or suggestions for other night shift tips! Cheers to you in your night shift journey! Tori Meskin MSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, S ponsored Capella University MSN student , a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com

I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want… Let’s be real, so many years the holidays roll around and we get hung up on waiting to the very last minute for purchasing holiday gifts as we wait for inspiration to strike for the perfect combination of useful and unique to pop up. Then we wait too long and end up gifting or getting things that will end up being re-gifted or donated and promise ourselves we will do better next year…I know I’ve been guilty of this… 15 Perfect Gifts for Nurses Picking out the perfect gift for your favorite nurse can be tough. Whether you’re celebrating nurses week, the holiday season, a coworker’s graduation or retirement, or a friend’s birthday, we’re faced with the decision — what are good gifts for nurses?  Waiting until the last minute can make the whole experience stressful and takes out the fun of hand-selecting a present they’ll love. Here, I’ve listed fifteen of my absolute favorite nursing gifts to give and receive. There is something on here for every nurse and every budget. Maybe you’ll even find something on here for yourself! ;) Let’s dive right in to my favorite nurse gift ideas!  1: RAD GIRL PINS Don’t conform to boring…Rad Girl Creations makes the best medical pins and anatomy swag. We all have to wear the standard scrubs uniforms in healthcare, so why not let your dark humor side shine through with some personality on your badge. I love their specialty pin packs that are great, personalized gifts to celebrate the dedication of the healthcare worker / work wife in your life. Shop Rad Girl Pin s HERE! 2: UP AT DAWN SOCKS Flip the narrative on boring socks as a staple gift. I love saving my feet while working long hours in my Up at Dawn Compression Socks. Up at Dawn socks are designed in Oahu and the tropical vibes are so on point. Supporting female-founded, nurse-owned businesses is something I am super passionate about. An Emergency Room Nurse for over ten years, Tesla has crafted compression socks that she is proud to wear and now share. With the endless inspiration of the flora and fauna of the Hawaiian Islands, and more specifically, her home on the North Shore of Oahu in the quaint hills of Pupukea, Tesla envisioned dynamic compression socks that would extend their use beyond the laborious long hours spent at work. Her mission was to create a sock others would wantto also wear for both functionality and style; from hiking/biking/running/skating, to the expectant mother, to travelers, and even lounging. https://www.upatdawn.co 3: Work Lunchbox Filled With Snacks We all know that the key to every nurse’s heart is snacks and drinks! Loading these treats up in a cute lunch box or cooler bag can make it an even better gift! My top picks: LOKASS Insulated Lunch Bag SmartSweets Variety Pack Awake Caffeinated Chocolate Bites That’s It Mini Fruit Bars LiquidIV Electrolyte Drink Mix 4: Cozy Sweatshirt for Cold Shifts Nurses can never have enough soft, warm hoodies! These cute sweatshirts are perfect for wearing to work over your scrubs (why does every hospital seem to turn its heating off at 10pm?) and are even great to throw on to go to the grocery store on a day off!   My top picks: Beautiful Day to Save Tiny Lives Fleece Pullover NICU Nurse Era Crew Neck Tanming Puffer Jacket Per Diem Princess Sweatshirt Blencot Oversized Half Zip 5: Fun Stickers These are great stocking stuffers o r white elephant gifts for a small budget! Y ou can also throw a few in on top of a card or gift voucher to add a personal touch. My Top Picks: NICUity Sticker Set Cute Swaddle Sticker Burrito Enthusiast Sticker 6: Shift Survival Pack This gift is similar to the “bag of snacks” idea, but instead of sweet treats, your bag can be filled with shift essentials to get them through a long 12-hour shift. I’m talking lotions, pens, hair ties, water bottles…you name it!  Feel free to customize and add things that you know they’ll love. This is a great gift idea for groups of nurses as well if you’re looking to say “thank you” to a team of top notch clini cians!  My Top Picks: Wipeable and Cleanable Clear Cosmetic Bag 4-Color Carabiner Pen Mini Hair Brush Phone Charging Cable L’Occitane Hand and Nail Cream Native Deodorant  Claw Hair Clips 7: Blue Light Blocking Glasses Anyone that knows me knows I love my blue light protection glasses! They prevent eye strain when looking at computer screens and offer protection against spills and splashes when providing direct patient care. They also help improve sleep quality. I’ve listed a few of my favorite styles, but any brand or style will work! My Top Picks: Peepers Readers Blue Light Glasses Warby Parker Blue Light Glasses Stoggles Blue-Light Blocking Safety Goggles  8: NICU Nurse Masterclass This gift is on the pricier side, but is perfect for any of your nursing friends looking to transition to the NICU. It’s also a great graduation gift for nursing students  looking to get started on the right foot. You can give them the e-learning modules , or could also throw in the hardcopy reference materials  as well. This is a gift that will keep on giving as it supports professional development for years to come.  9: A Set of Comfy and Flattering Scrubs A new set of scrubs is a great gift for any nurse! You can add in a set of comfortable nurse shoes or compression socks to really revamp their wardrobe. Be sure to check whether the nurse has any mandated scrub vendor or color requirements prior to purchasing :)  My Top Picks: Hanes Scrub Set Landau Scrub Set Dansko Clogs 10: Candles to Enjoy At Home On Days Off Nurses live for their days off! It’s one of the perks of working long hours. There’s no better way to enjoy a day off than by sitting on the couch, reading a good book, listening to relaxing music with a candle burning! Candles are perfect for any season or occasion and you can often find one to fit your budget!  My Top Picks: Capri Blue Scented Candle Ryan Porter Candle Tyler Diva Scented Candle Jo Malone Honeysuckle Candle 11: Cute Badge Reel Every nurse, no matter their specialty or clinical setting, wears a badge to work every day. Make getting ready for work fun by gifting them a cute new badge reel! This is a great way to bring a laugh or smile to your favorite nurse — the patients and families they care for will love it as well.  My Top Picks: NICUity Badge Reel I Love Tiny Humans Badge Reel Ask Me About Our Burritos Badge Reel 12: Water Bottle or Coffee Mug Staying caffeinated and hydrated helps nurses stay on their A-Game! Whether your favorite nurse likes drinking coffee, tea, water, or electrolyte po wder, a new water bottle or mug is the perfect nursing gift. Extra points if the mug is bleachable and has a covered straw or spout (no hospital germs, please!).  My Top Picks: NICU Crew Tumbler Coffee, Scrubs, Hustle Mug New Grad Tears Tumbler Owala Free Sip Water Bottle Sounds Like a Day Shift Problem Tumbler 13: SIMPLY TUESDAY HEALTHCARE HEADBANDS Looks like masks are here to stay for us in the healthcare setting! Save your ears with this amazing healthcare accessory. Support a nurse and woman-owned small business with your purchase of a headband + buttons for your mask! I have been wearing these headbands since the beginning of the pandemic and now this is a staple in my shift life. This genius headband style has made mask wearing for long hours during my shift comfortable and stylish. She has a variety of fun designs to choose from on her shop linked here. Healthcare Headbands Here: simplytues.com 14: A STETHOSCOPE... OF COURSE! The most popular stethoscope that I always feature on IG is on Amazon! In terms of stethoscopes I use daily, I have used Littmann & MDF stethoscopes at the bedside. Typically, stethoscopes are provided bedside in the NICU (for infection control). However, I own one of each (Littman & MDF) for floating purposes. NICU / Pediatric Littmann for floating to Postpartum & this MDF white & rose gold stethoscope to work (in case of floating to the Pediatric units). This highly-rated Classic Cardiology is phenomenal for detecting hard-to-hear heart sounds. Physicians, nurses, EMT, and vets alike love the heavy-duty chest piece with its super-sensitive diaphragm, extra-thick dual lumen tubing with total sound insulation, adjustable headset, and silicone ComfortSeal ear tips (with three sizes to ensure the perfect fit!) Shop This Stunning Stethoscope on Amazon 15: ELLIOT YOUNG JEWLRY You can never go wrong with a timeless gift such as a piece of fine jewelry that will last through wear and tear, maintain their shine, and gives back to a meaningful cause. These 14k gold necklaces and earrings from Elliot Young can be paired together for a classic look or worn alone as a beautiful statement piece. What makes these pieces even more special is the fact that the charms represent balance, energy, and protection. All something us in healthcare could use a little more of in our lives! Elliot Young is a women owned business that donates a percentage of profits from my collection with them to Brave Beginnings, an organization that supports NICU’s by providing essential equipment to hospitals in need. Fine Jewelry Collection for A Cause: https://elliotyoungla.com/collections/nurse-tori-collection NURSETORI25 for 25% off Looking for More Gift Ideas? It was SO hard to narrow down this list to only 15 of my favorite nursing gifts! If you’re looking for more great ideas, take a look at our NICUity shop  page, full of nursing educational resources, bedside tools, apparel, and more! Also, you can check out my Amazon storefront , which is chock full of all sorts of great items for anyone on your list! Well there you have it. My favorite picks for the 2024 holiday season! I hope you find it helpful as you get a head start on holiday shopping. Would love to know your favorite gifts for 2024 in the comments below! Happy Holidays! Tori Meskin MSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, S ponsored Capella University MSN graduate  a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey, married & new mom life & juggles work, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com  or info@tipsfromtori.com

There are many ways to bond with your baby – even during his or her NICU stay. Bonding is important for baby development. It helps babies feel loved, safe and secure. But bonding can take time and baby in the neonatal intensive care unit is a family crisis. Parents are rarely prepared for the challenges of the NICU environment, such as the fragile condition of the infant, the high level of technology, and frequent crises. No matter your vision, the reality of admission to the NICU with a medically fragile infant causes feelings of reactions as fear, anger, confusion, and loss. You may first feel as if you have no idea how to handle the situation, but with time, new preemie parents grow confident in their understanding of what is happening and what to expect . So even if you're feeling lost now, give these 12 suggestions below a try. They'll get you off to a good start. Suggestions for Bonding with Your Newborn in the NICU 1. Do Your Research, But Don't Overwhelm Yourself When you’re about to go online to look up preemie-related questions, take a moment to ask yourself: "Do I really need this information right now?" Stumbling across preemie stories with negative outcomes may make you anxious. If you’re going to stress and fret all night long after reading about worst-case scenarios, it's just not worth it. Instead, talk to your baby's doctors and nurses and consult with other NICU parents you meet. If you must go online to do research because you feel you’re just not getting the answers you need, remember that the scary stuff and the negativity is not your baby and it’s not guaranteed for every baby. Stay focused on the positives. 2. TALK TO BABY A quiet soft voice will offer a sense of comfort. Babies are familiar with your voice from inside the womb so hearing it now might be able to help stabilize him or her . Bonding will look different for each individual family due to each baby’s unique circumstances. Certain factors – such as the mom’s health, the baby’s medical issues, diagnoses, and gestation at birth – will affect the ways in which families can bond. For example, a baby born at 25 weeks cannot be held right away due to his/her medical instability, (IVH and infection precautions). However, a baby born at 34 weeks may be held, depending on his or her medical condition. Some NICU babies are able to tolerate touch very well, while others require minimal stimulation due to respiratory support, pre/post op care, hemodynamic instability, etc. If you were unable to hold your baby within the first 24 hours or the first several weeks of life, please know that your opportunity to bond with your baby was not completely lost. In fact, it is imperative! Initial bonding might be a bit different than you anticipated but your presence and calm energy are a big piece of baby's healing and growth. 3. VISIT WHEN YOU CAN Your presence alone can have a long-term positive impact on your baby’s development and give you confidence as a parent too. Spending time with your baby in the NICU is such an important part of bonding. Parents or parent figures are constant. Although your situation seems so foreign, getting involved and getting into the routine provides structured normalcy. Ask questions, review the plan of care, and empower yourself with an understanding of the NICU day-to-day routine. The more we see you and get to know you the better. It is helpful when you know as much about your baby as we do! NICU Parent Perspectives. Innovators. Entrepreneurs. 4 . ASK FOR NURSES YOU LIKE Probably the most unpopular opinion. Some personalities jive better than others. If you have a nurse or two you really bond with, ask if they are able to primary your baby. Some hospitals do this, while others do not due to staffing needs. But it never hurts to ask! This is your time too. Parents can start to change the baby's diaper, help in taking temperature, and participate in feeding (if appropriate) the baby. Whether it be a bottle or breastfeeding understanding the process can truly empower you to feel a part of the process. Parents are the baby’s best health advocates! Get to know the nurses. Get to know the MDs, RTs, OTs, and medical team members. Together we can help lead you throughout the NICU Journey. 5. FINGER-GRASP For our especially tiny micro preemie or medically fragile newborns offering your baby, a finger with a gentle grasp can be a beautiful and precious way to bond with baby. You can also offer a "hand hug" and provide a positive soft touch while talking to baby. 6. SKIN TO SKIN: KANGAROO CARE After baby is stable and the medical team has confidence in baby's health status parents can start the skin-to-skin process. The sound of mom's heartbeat is a familiar sound to them & it has been medically proven that skin-to-skin helps a baby thrive in the NICU. Also, a great aid for mothers' breastmilk production & daddy’s bonding. Daddy this is your time too! Babies know your heartbeat, scent, voices, tones etc. Skin to skin is the best way to bond with your new little one. 7 . PERSONALIZE YOUR SPACE You can also decorate the baby’s area. Decorating your baby’s Isolette with a milestone, holiday, or special moment is another great way to create that special bond. Bring "home" to the Hospital. Bring pieces of your family’s life to place in your infant’s isolette or crib in the form of family photos, a special blanket, artwork from siblings, and more. (Some NICUs are more strict on policies so just ask what they allow). Etsy has some fun "Milestone Cards," and NICU decor to offer. Many families find that making a sign with your baby’s name, decorating with family pictures, or adding other personal touches can feel like you are giving your baby a piece of home while you are away. 8. LETTERS TO BABY Write it out. Writing can be therapeutic and tangible. Noting big milestones, tracking the journey, and processing your NICU stay can really empower you during the process. This is something you & your baby can look back on & can also give you an outlet to express how you’re feeling at that moment. Some families find that documenting their baby’s experience in the NICU by journaling or scrapbooking (either digitally or in physical form) can be helpful. Taking photos and journaling experiences may feel very tender and sometimes painful. I encourage you to document what you can and when you feel able. In moments when you’re not feeling up to it, ask someone else to help you do this by taking pictures or writing memories. 9. FACE-TIME Thank goodness for technology! Some NICUs have a “NIC-VIEW” camera (a little camera that can be placed above your baby’s bed) that parents can view live online. This is a great opportunity for parents that can’t always be at their baby's bedside. (Not all NICUs have this technology but it doesn't hurt to ask. Each NICU holds a different platform and policy for viewing. 10. INFANT MASSAGE Take a class through a certified infant massage instructor and utilize techniques with your MEDICALLY STABLE baby. Benefits include reduced levels of cortisol (stress hormone), increased muscle tone, and supported parent-infant interactions, among others. Speak with your baby’s doctor and bedside nurse before using this technique with your medically fragile infant. MASTERING PREEMIE / MEDICALLY FRAGILE MASSAGE 11. LEAVE YOUR SCENT Check with NICU staff to learn what cloth items are appropriate to place in the baby’s space. Sleep with that item or wear it all day tucked under your clothing, then place in your baby’s space. Swapping scents back and forth from mother and father to baby are well documented evidence-based practiced outcomes! Not only will this help your baby, but it is also a source of comfort for you! You can find "Lovies" on Amazon or Etsy if your NICU does not offer them. 12. LEAN ON LOVED ONES AROUND YOU This can feel like the most overwhelming time in your life. You may experience a variety of emotions. Overwhelmed, frustrated, and even loneliness. This is a great time to use people around you who want to help. Whether it is a family member or distant friend, lean into their help. From delivered dinners, help with laundry, childcare, transportation, amazon gift cards, etc. Let these people in your life help you. This can truly help you, which will ultimately help you and your beautiful baby. 13. TAKE CARE OF YOU & YOUR RELATIONSHIPS This time can be one of the most overwhelming times of your life. If you feel overwhelmed and insecure, you’re not alone or failing at this. If you’re feeling sad or confused, that’s okay. These are all such normal responses. It's ok to take some time away and revive yourself. Take a shower, go on a date night, sleep, take a walk, girl or boy night, and refocus your mindset. One of the most important components of this time frame is parental involvement, both in gains for the baby and in fostering an appropriate parent/baby relationship that will allow for an easy transition to home. All care should be family-centered, and every effort should be made to involve parents in all aspects of caring for the baby. It is during this stage that we prepare both baby and parents for discharge from the small baby unit. Our ultimate goal is to empower the family to become the best caregivers for their infant, thereby improving the outcomes of the baby and the satisfaction of the family. You got this! Listen to this holy-grail list of episodes from all aspects of the NICU! These Cellfie Show episodes will give you insight into your most pressing NICU-related questions as well as a fresh perspective from the point of view of NICU providers, entrepreneurs, and parents. No matter your experience with the NICU so far, I hope you take away something new in these episodes that you can apply to your unique journey! *If you have any questions about what is most appropriate for your baby, consult with your baby’s medical team. NICU Essential Resources American Academy of Pediatrics Childhood & Adult Immunization CDC Guidelines March of Dimes! Resources for parents & providers Access 1,300+ Drugs with Easy-to-Understand Lactation Risk Categories Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, S ponsored Capella University MSN student , a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com

There are so many things that come to mind when I tell someone “I am a NICU Nurse” Normally their response goes something like, “Wow, that must be so hard and so sad to work with sick babies. How do you do that?” Yes, that is a true statement. I could tell you about the babies born VERY early struggling for their lives. Babies Born: Far too early, To drug addicted mothers, With life altering diagnosis, Requiring emergent surgeries, Parents who don’t always care, Requiring harsh procedures our tiny patients must endure, Needed many surgeries (more than most adults), The micro preemie “death spells” each preemie faces any time their bodies face discomfort, The clinical trials we must try (to help more babies in the future), The diagnostic tests: Heart ECHO’s, Head Ultrasounds, & Chest X-rays etc.! Our preemies must endure all of this in order for us to monitor their well-being! Add the sterile line changes we must do to protect our most vulnerable, The meticulous scrubbing, chlorhexidine wiping, sanitizing, sterile gloving, painful hand washing so much so because I don’t’ want to be the reason a baby gets a blood stream infection. I could tell you about the many orgiastic and nasogastric tubes I have inserted over and over due to little hands pulling them out (or retching them out), and the sadness I have experienced sitting in on a family conference while parents try to comprehend their new babies life altering diagnosis. The many conversations I have had with mothers over the phone at 2AM asking “how is my baby doing, will she survive this?” I could tell you about the frustration I have had with Attendings, NNP, PAs, Surgeons, Specialists, or Practitioners when I advocate for my baby “Something is wrong,” only to have a reply of “Tell the Resident,” or “Continue to monitor the baby.” I could tell you about the nights & days I literally don’t sit or drink an ounce of water trying to complete a septic work up because my baby is going septic and needs my full attention. The amount of codes where a baby is truly hanging on for dear life. I could tell you about the tears I have wiped from a mother’s cheek while taking a baby off of life support as her baby passes in her arm. And the wailing from her lungs as she asks “Why is this happening to my baby?” Where the pain is so hard I have to escort other family out of the room to relieve the parent’s personal anxiety. I could try to explain to you how hard it is to maintain professional boundaries when you have invested so much time, love, and tender care to my “special baby.” And how hard it is, when “due to staffing” I can’t care for the baby and must take another assignment. And the times I feel I didn’t do enough for my patient, cry in the break-room or in the hall, to take a few minutes to compose myself. ​ BUT I COULD ALSO TELL YOU The feeling of giving a baby it’s first bath with mom and dad (helping them with wires, and tubes) and making it feel special! I could tell you about the hugs, happiness, and smiles when I walk into the room as the Nurse coming on to care for their baby. I could tell you about feeding a baby his or her first bottle with mom or attempting to breast feed for the first time after 3 months! And laughing as dad burps the baby for the first time. I could tell you about my stealth moves tiptoeing in the darkness to check my baby in their isolate and the Cirque du Soleil moves I make to prevent breaking a sterile field. I could tell you about Kadence, Faith, Talia, Christopher, and so many more patient’s where I build long lasting, loving, relationships with my families as their “favorite nurse,” or “mommy nurse” and the feeling I get being able to care for their baby. ​ I could tell you about the feeling of being able to SEND YOUR BABY HOME, and the immense happiness I get from being the nurse to take the last pulse ox & wires off their bundle of joy. I could explain the feeling of a babies tiny hand wrapped around my finger as I assess the pulses or change the leads on his/her chest. I could tell you about the immense pride I have for working at a leading Children’s Hospital where research, newest therapies, and outcomes are the BEST. I could tell you about the bonds I have created with co-workers, Respiratory therapists who are like family, OT/PT kindest sweetest most effective therapies provided, or Music Therapists (who I’m pretty sure I love just as much as the babies), & of course Doctors who know you by first and last name (and High Five you on your way into the unit). I could try to explain the happiness of the last hug before the family leaves the hospital & the amount of Thanks I receive someone seems my badge or NICU logo on my jacket. I could tell you…..but it wouldn’t be enough. These words would never fully explain what it is like to work with these tiny lives. Nothing can prepare you for the physical & emotional investment into this vocation. And that is the beauty of being a NICU Nurse. If you are seeking a more "in depth conversation" head over to check out my podcast! Episode 1, 2, and 10 are all great resources for you to hear more details about being a NICU Nurse, NNP, and the working dynamics of a level IV NICU! THE CELLFIE SHOW. CLICK HERE . Another great resource for you BELOW. I was featured on The Morning Rounds and talked all things NICU Nursing. Dynamics, my personal journey, NICU Nurse Tips & Tricks! NICU Nurse Essential Resources American Academy of Pediatrics Academy of Neonatal Nursing Childhood & Adult Immunization CDC Guidelines March of Dimes! Resources for parents & providers Access 1,300+ Drugs with Easy-to-Understand Lactation Risk Categories National Association of Neonatal Nurses National Certification Corporation - NICU National certifications for experienced nurses NICU University & Peds University Vermont Oxford Network - 1,300 hospitals collaborating around the world! Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, S ponsored Capella University MSN student , a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com

If you have been a nurse for any length of time, you definitely have accumulated items that you routinely use for every shift. I have had some consistent items on my must-have shift list but have discovered some of the BEST products that have been a lifesaver in recent months. Let me put you on to 6 products that I feel every nurse should own. 1. Comrad Socks Comrad’s cute and comfortable compression socks are a game changer for anyone who is standing for long periods of time! Hello healthcare workers! There have been quite a few studies showing that compression socks should be worn in order to help prevent fatigue and blood clots. Our body’s blood circulation also has a direct effect on keeping our immune systems strong, so these compression socks are something I value more than ever while working amidst a pandemic. My personal favorite styles from Comrad are the Knee-High Striped Compression and the Knee-High Ombre Compression in Berry! I love how well they hold up after repetitive wearing and washing. With the amazing health benefits that these compression socks bring, I have been conscious to wear them beyond my hospital shifts. I started wearing them around the house post work-outs to aid in recovery and also wear them under my boots to horse- back ride. I am grateful to have these socks to keep my feet from hurting while I'm taking care of my patients! I especially LOVE that I don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort with these socks. Check out Comrad Socks here! https://www.comradsocks.com 2. Barco Scrubs Quality scrubs make a statement. Comfy and flattering scrubs are a nonnegotiable for nurses in 2020! Barco provides nurses with exceptional value and quality control. I love their eco-friendly fabric that utilizes temperature-regulating technology to keep me incredibly comfortable while feeling cool and fresh throughout my shifts. Barco’s Gray’s Anatomy Line are my absolute favorite! The feminine fit, custom tailored look, color array, and overall professional theme of their scrub lines have always attracted my eye which is why they have been my “GO TO” since day 1.  Find a Barco store near you here! https://www.barcouniforms.com/ store-locator/ 3. Sanita Clogs The most essential part of our day as nurses are our footwear. Pair Comrad socks with stylish Sanitas for happy feet! If you are looking for the most comfortable and stylish shoe for work you need to try a pair of Sanitas, the original Danish clog. Clogs have always been my choice of shoe with their easy slip-on, durable, and supportive style. As a brand new nurse I purchased my first pair of Sanitas clogs, fell in love, and still wear that original pair to this day. Not only is the durability and comfort there, but the look that a clog offers is so classy and professional. You can shop their latest styles here and use code NurseTori for 15% off your order! https://www.sanita.com 4. Mouthwash!! YES!! Mouthwash!! Masking up for 12-14 hour shifts has my skin breaking out like crazy even with my skincare product regime in full force! The hottest tip right now to combat maskne is to rinse your mouth out with disinfecting mouthwash every couple of hours. Exhaled bacteria through your mouth gets trapped under the mask and causes breakouts on the surrounding skin. I wear the same mask most of the day so this tip has truly saved my skin. I pour some mouthwash from my larger container at home into smaller, travel size bottles to carry with me in my workbag and car to use on the go. 5. Button Headbands Save your mask ear breakdown with a stylish headband! You can give your ears a rest by attaching your mask to the buttons on the sides of a cute headband instead. An L&D nurse at one of the hospitals I work at made me my first several button headbands and started my latest obsession. I have always loved wearing headbands paired with a bun to keep stray hairs out of and away from my face while working, but now have been enjoying the utility of these specially designed headbands that give my ears a break. Pick a pattern that expresses your unique vibes! 6. Stethoscope Being an L.A. nurse myself, I love that MDF Stethoscopes are also Los Angeles based. I have found MDF stethoscopes to provide optimal performance with premium, unparalleled sound. These stethoscopes come in a multitude of beautiful metal and tubing colors for a variety of medical specialties. That being said my absolute favorites for my position working in the NICU are their Pediatric and Cardiology stethoscopes in the rose gold and white tubing combination. I get so many compliments on this sophisticated, sleek stethoscope! View all of their styles here! https://www.mdfinstruments.com/ products/stethoscope. I hope you all enjoyed this little Nurse moment. These are all products & tips I use and believe in 10000%. Nothing but the best for the Tipster Family. Sending you all healthy happy vibes! Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, S ponsored Capella University MSN student , a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com

Health and Fitness have always been apart of my life. Competing in a Bikini Muscle Competition was always on my bucket list! It is such an amazing sport but I had so many questions! How do you do this? Do I need a coach? What do you eat? Where do I order a competition suit? Do I really need that tan? What are the judges looking for? In addition, I had goals I wanted to reach! To challenge my body to its peak! To look better than I ever have, to learn more about my body, my mental strength, my physical peak, and how nutrition affects my physical goals. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ MY WORKOUT HISTORY First off, I am by no means a professional. I understand the basics, but I was essentially starting from scratch. My brother and I used to work out together at the ripe old age of 16 and although young, my bother taught me some very core concepts that have always stuck with me. 1. Proper Form 2. Weights won’t make you bulky 3. Don’t be afraid of the weight room 4. Challenge yourself safely Two years ago, I completed my first “Bikini Contest” My Competition Goals: To challenge my body to it’s max capacity To place on the podium. ​ I did both. How did I do this you ask? First, I joined Team Edge because I knew I wanted to do it the "right way" while also being safe. In order to succeed I knew I needed a coach, a diet plan, a bikini as well as posing advice and lastly, day-of contest details. Luckily for me Team Edge provided it all! I trained for about 14 weeks. I checked in with my coaches (via email) every two weeks (until 1 month out and then weekly), I practiced posing, meal prepped, gulped down all the water I possible could, and truly gave it my all. ​ My meals went a little something like this: Wake Up: 30 min FASTED CARDIO Meal 1: 1/3 cup oatmeal, 1 whole egg, 4 egg whites, 1 tbsp pb Meal 2: 3oz chicken breast, 10 asparagus, 2oz avocado Meal 3: 3oz ground turkey, 1/3 cup rice, 1 cup Veggies Meal 4: ( pre workout) 4 oz chicken, 4oz sweet potato, 1 cup mixed veggies Meal 5: (post) 1 scoop whey protein immediately after workout 45 min later 4oz Tilapia, 1/2 cup rice, 10 asparagus Meal 6: 5 egg whites, 10 almonds And my workouts went a little something like this: Workout: Legs/Plyos DB Split Squats 4 sets x 15, Split Squat Hops 4 sets x 30 sec DB Curtsey Lunge off small step 4 sets x 12 each leg, Jump Lunges 4 sets x 30 sec DB Step Ups to Reverse Lunge 4 sets x 12 each side, Ice skaters 4 sets x 30 sec Lying Leg Curls 4 sets x 12, DB Cross Over Step Ups 4 sets x 12 each side Cardio: 20 min Steady Run ( For purposes of the Team & their Business I cannot disclose more. Keep in mind you are also only seeing one day of my entire week, every day had different amounts of protein, carb, & fat intake and workout plans. I did this with supervision of a Coach & updated pictures & progress ) After months of hard work, more PUMPS than I could count, insane amount of blood sweat & tears, I made it to Competition Day! I walked into ½ naked men and women walking around in their spray tan & suits, more rhinestones than King Tut, & more fun energy than I can explain. Calming one’s nerves is impossible at this point. This particular competition was the ULTIMATE due to the fact that the IFBB (International Federation of Body Building & Fitness) Pro Body Building Division (The Arnold Competitors) were competing this day. Therefore, this was a BIG one to see. Day of Competition First things first, get (re)-tanned! The night before all competitors get sprayed with a base tan. (The poor hotel sheets had no idea what was coming). After the early morning tan, came the task of getting my suit on (without ruining your tan, practically impossible). Then hair & makeup. I (like most new competitors) chose to have it done by the professionals. It’s more like “stage makeup” and my Estee Lauder Foundation was no match for this. Then finishing touches with heels & jewelry. Then it’s game time. Or "hurry up and wait" game time! LOTS of WAIT Time! I entered into the Bikini Division (which is based on height). I entered in Class F (Over 5’5’’ and up to and including 5’6’’). Bikini Regulations are strict. ​ 1. Competitors will compete in a two-piece suit. 2. The bottom of the suit must be v-shaped. 3. No thongs are permitted. 4. Competitors can compete in an off the rack suit. 5. All swimsuits must be in good taste. 6. Athletes will be warned about improper suits and are advised to bring two (2) suits to check in. 7. The fronts of the suits are too low and must be constructed higher. 8. Athletes will be scored down if the suit is not up to standard. 9. Competitors must wear high heels. 10. Competitors may wear jewelry. 11. National level contests do not permit competitors to crossover into Bodybuilding, Fitness or Figure at the same event. 12. All other competitions are permitted to have crossovers at the discretion of the promoter with appropriate approval. ​​ Judges score competitors using the following criteria: Balance and Shape Overall physical appearance including complexion, skin tone, poise and overall presentation. Easy Right?! Well, let’s just say I was up against some of the best bodies I have ever seen! After a full day of Completion, hitting the stage three times, with two “First Call Outs” I placed 3rd in Novice & 6thin Open. I came coming home with one trophy & proceeded to eat the BEST BURGER I have EVER Eaten after wards. The whole experience was so FUN & REWARDING. Although, my now husband might disagree. Competing is a job in itself. Your whole day & life revolves around workouts, getting food in, prepping meals, posing practice, and water intake. It is certainly a lifestyle. ​ I have contemplated doing another show. However, it takes a particular mind set and time to do so. So, currently I try to maintain a healthy(ish) diet, and some similar workouts to maintain a healthy Bikini Bod. Personally, I am able to eat what I like in moderation. I consume Healthy Proteins, lots of veggies, some carbs (white & brown rice, some bread), salads, healthy tacos, season with many different seasonings & spices, & maintain a loose Mediterranean style diet. I work out 3 times a week focusing on HIT training & lifting (mainly legs, glutes, hamstrings, etc). I feel lucky to have a partner who maintains a healthy lifestyle & encourages our active lifestyle. We bike ride, workout together (not the same workouts), take a yoga class from time to time, hike, travel, & enjoy beach living. I truly enjoyed Prep Life and who knows, maybe do another one at some point. But for now, I am enjoying my moderate lifestyle by the beach. Xo Tori RESOURCES FOR YOU Team Edge Custom Designed Competition Bikinis NPC Competition Website Body Building Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, S ponsored Capella University MSN student , a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com

A sister, nurse, & healthcare provider perspective. Our family journey through my brother's diagnosed Bipolar I Disorder, mania, depression, substance abuse, & sobriety. We are getting behind the scenes for a deeper understanding of managing mental health.... Let's Get Real Here, Mental Health & Substance Abuse are two of the Most Taboo Topics as they come. Yes, a TABOO topic, even for us in the medical field. Even as a Nurse and healthcare provider, substance abuse & mental health disorders are stigmatized and often treated with judgement. Why do I know this? Because I am a healthcare provider, and I have been on both sides of care. It's personal and as a family, we went through the ringer. Hence, my passion to write this blog! If a patient lands themselves in ICU bed (due to a heroine overdose, drunk driving accident, etc.) as providers, we must set aside our judgements and care for patients (no matter the reason.) However, often we find it hard to sympathize and judgment sets in. Honestly, this was the case for myself! If a mother landed herself in an ICU bed due to a heroine overdose, (preterm labor with an emergency C-section delivery), you bet my head went to judgement and frustration. Well, that was the case until my brother landed himself in an ICU bed after his first ( of several ) near fatal car accidents. I thank god for the nurses who helped save his life (with no, or limited judgement). His blood alcohol level was far above the legal driving limit & to this day I am thankful he is still alive (AND never harmed anyone else). But Let's Take a Step Back Let me give you a quick recap of my younger brother Vince. We grew up close. He is 13 months younger than myself & I would consider us, "best friend" kind of close. Even in high school. We were a package sibling deal with so many of the same friends, dances, parties etc. We separated during college days. I went to University of Arizona, and my brother went to Fresno state. Lovable Vince Recap: 2 college degrees from CSFU (Agriculture & Construction Management) The guy every mom LOVES. Funny & charismatic. Farmer & construction builder. Athletic & a "Mans Man" (he can swing a hammer and rebuild a car blindfolded). Loving & Cunning Handsome & Stronger than an Ox Also, Diagnosed Bipolar 1 & Recovering Addict. Bipolar Manic Substance Using Vince: Now, let's talk about the monster of my brother. The one I hate to relive. This is the brother who managed to land himself 3 DUIs, several stints in county jail, was fired from one of the best construction companies in the nation, wrecked (not one, but two) cars in near fatal car accidents, ruined two great relationships, destroyed family trust, had his license revoked, was stripped down to nothing at the age of 27. The reason? It is two fold. First, he is living bipolar, & the second was substance abuse. And when I mean substance, I mean all of it! Alcohol, A dderall , Weed, Cocaine, Uppers/Downers, H allucinations (s hrooms), etc. Anything he could get his hands on to alter the mind. Vince was officially diagnosed Bipolar at the age of 25. According to Mayo Clinic, " Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression)." Definitions are cute & all on paper. But let me explain to you what we experienced. How Bipolar looked to our Family My brother was a monster of himself. The most selfish, egotistical, rotten to the core monster of Vince. A person who had no license but still managed to buy a car off the street. A person who continued to wipe the family of funds in various ways (court hearings, lawyer fees, selfish endeavors ) someone who was so blinded by his motives, no one else mattered (even his sister). A monster who was aggressive, scared girlfriends, used manipulation to get what he wanted. Bipolar had literally stripped away my best friend. The younger brother I had grown up with, the person everyone loved & laughed with. The irony about this disease... he loved his " manic phase" as many do. There is nothing like it. You feel like a super person of yourself. No one can stop you or tell you no. Something we (as a family) learned and took to heart was understanding this disease. It had its place in history! So many warriors, people of interest, world leaders, famous historical icons (Napoleon, Hitler, War Hero's) most likely struggled through mental health issues such as Bipolar. Leading a war, conquering a nation, settling the people, and then going into remission for months to recoup. Sound familiar? I urge you to listen to Episode # 4 & Episodes # 12 of this podcast to grasp a better understanding. We speak about this on both of these Podcast episodes. The "euphoria", I don't call it that, I just call it fire. Because it is something I feel right in the middle of my chest. And I have done a handful of drugs & alcohol. There is no drink or drug that matches what mania feels like. It's like fire in your chest. And you are just bulletproof. I can literally do anything and I don't think about consequences of my actions. I definitely don't think about anyone else. I don't intentionally do anything to harm others, but my own well being...I don't give a crap. That fire is something that is so pleasurable, you never want to come off it. That is why without meds, I wouldn't be able to physically change my brain chemistry and get that dopamine out of your head. ~ My Brother Vince Let's fast forward 3 years. Currently, my brother is 4 years sober, has regained his license, regained family trust, landed himself a great job in construction and is now running our family ranch again. He has an amazing girlfriend who understands his disease and diagnosis & has regained his happy go lucky personality. I am so thankful for this. He has truly built a new life for himself. Worked out the right regime of medications and become a leader in mental health. And yes, we learned a few things along the way. So I thought I would divulge. 1. Mental Health Comes in Many Forms I will tell you, as healthcare providers, we learn about mental health but often times it is un relatable . The books can only tell you so much. They can give you a vague description of a disease process, but until you experience the true nature of a mental health disorder, it is not relatable. For many people believe having bipolar means simply dealing with alternating very high and very low moods, but there is so much more to it. During a manic phase, the person can experience delusional hallucinations, euphoria, increased energy, erratic behavior etc. which can be terrifying. During a depressive phase, the person may become very forgetful or indecisive. It isn’t as simple as “today I’m happy, tomorrow I’m sad”. It can be life-threatening. 2. Mania is the Best Friend & Worst Enemy During a manic phase your loved one may be on "cloud 9!" Like a rain shower in a drought or an avalanche on a mountainside village, it is extreme. In all honesty, for many diagnosed, it can be refreshing & also bring with it a range of creativity which leads to destructive behavior leading to a hard to rebuild from in the wake of its damage. This was diagnosed after a period of both depression and hypomania (a lower level manic episode characterized by a huge amount of energy and disinhibition) spanning over a year. 3. You Can Love Someone to Death Often times, it is hard to let go as a family. To give up the reins to a "professional" and allow them to take over. You can’t always be there for someone struggling – and that’s ok. Many parents (including mine) had a difficult time letting go. Allowing the professionals take over and help in a way that even a blood relative, or healthcare provider can not is important. But I can honestly say, it wasn't until we completely let go and had The Last House Take over, were we in a better place. Honestly, we were so ready for the help, and in true Crisis that their help was welcome. The Last House. 4. It Feels Great To Be Manic, Why Would You Stop? Imagine yourself getting drunk, but without any alcohol. You feel lighter, talk more easily & you feel more daring than usual. As it progresses, your judgment begins to cloud. You overestimate yourself. Strangers are suddenly friends. Reality begins shifting – you start perceiving things you didn’t perceive before. In my case, I had a million thoughts and ideas rushing in, which I felt I needed to express. This is a similar idea to what it feels like to be manic. Manic Phase A perfect example: "I painted 10 paintings in a row and wrote 60 pages on a creative project. Put on bright colours and felt like everything I did was divine. I thought everybody else was stupid because they didn’t understand my ‘genius insights’. I became psychotic . I posted a lot of weird and embarrassing things on social media and texted people inappropriate or random messages. I wasn’t aware what I was doing during that episode – I had lost my rationality and sense of inhibition. By the time my family noticed I was not being my usual self (I was living abroad), I had already lost connection with my body. I barely slept or ate. I shifted between feeling extremely scared to aggressive, overly sexual or outgoing, and believed I was totally fine. I stopped looking after my body, believing that I could not die. I eventually ended up in hospital to be treated." ( Time to Change, Blog ) Coming Down From Manic Episodes Needless to say, “coming down” from mania is very tough and confusing. Some need to r ealize what had happened and apologize for the things they do not recall saying or doing. This was the case for my brother on several occasions. It took months to get back to how he was and I had lost trust in him. On the flip side he felt ashamed and frustrated. Then, depression slowly sneaks into their mind & sucks the life out of them. Often they feel insecure, worthless, silent and numb. Or like a burden to everybody around them. Concentrating can be particularly difficult. Even going to the grocery story often Bipolar diagnosed are unable to make decisions. Forget my keys, get lost on the road, feel scattered. The topic of suicide come to mind at times. Yet, they may not find the ability to cry. Rather, they feel completely numb, isolated within themselves, even around my closest loved ones. They can not feel anymore. Or feel joy or gratitude. The only feeling is wanting more sleep and not wake up again – to stop existing. It was a dark and scary place to be in. 5. Support is Essential, But Shouldn't Stand in Your Way of Help From Professionals "How can I help?" and ‘What can I do?" - these are the two questions I swirled around numerous times but as I have pondered what response would best suit the occasion. Sometimes it is letting go. Let the professionals take over. For us, that was The Last House . It is a tricky situation, allowing and trusting others to know the ins and outs of the bipolar- addict vortex. From the inside and outside, life can feel chaotic. Yet other times, it seems serene and calm. It ebbs and flows. So, when the winds pick up, it helps to have others weigh in who understand the disease. 6. Substance Abuse is Common, but Shouldn't Become a Crutch. People with Bipolar are much more likely to look for a ‘quick fix’ to a feeling, because the rollercoaster can be so incredibly draining and confusing. The need to calm down, feel something, stop the mind. This is where the professionals come in. Those with dual diagnosis (of ANY MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER) need help to grasp better coping strategies as a matter of priority, this is something I strongly believe needs to be incorporated into treatment. Life skills that ACTUALLY help. From proper medication regimine to establishing healthy daily habits, these are all essential to mental health patients. 7. They Don't Choose How They Feel... But They Can Choose to Work to a Solution. This was one of the hardest parts for me to deal with. When Vincent was being so heartless, rude, aggressive, and demanding. We were slaves to his needs in order to keep him alive. And I was resentful. But remember this, they didn't choose how they feel. I am going to REPEAT this. They did NOT choose how they feel. In addition, many mental health diagnosis don’t have the same emotional processes you or I do. They I still love the people in their life. And I know Vince would agree, he is grateful that I am there for him. But just as it wouldn’t fix a broken leg, it won’t fix his bipolar either. It is apart of him and his greatness. And I am also proud of that. 7. Education is Key in Order to Erase Mental Health Stigma Here I am at the ripe age of 31, a nurse, wife, sister, blogger, podcaster, writing a blog about my Bipolar brother. Why? Because I want someone (anyone) to grasp something from this. Having a mood disorder doesn’t make you a bad person, or someone incapable of living a full and meaningful life. My brother was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder at the age of 25, after a long and painful process of navigating the mental health system. Help and support is essential. Those diagnosed can't manage the storm alone. Please fight for your loved one. Even in the hardest time. I know it is hard but trust me living with a mental illness is harder. Be the friend, family member, person who listens. Don't become a ghost. You can't fix the storm, but you can be there while it rages, and it will pass. 8. Bipolar is an Illness, Not a Personality My brother is not Bipolar, but he LIVES with Bipolar. It is a strange thing that seems to occur in our society ‘do you know that this person  is bipolar?’ They are the embodiment of a whole illness? Great news, they do not suddenly lose our identity at the diagnosis of a mental health problem. 9. Medications. They Take Time To Understand & Work Properly! Vincent's medication regimen, along with his lifestyle habits & work at the Last House. took a year to dial in properly. I know the thought is "a quick fix." But the true work comes in the day to day. It is not an easy fix. It takes time, support, endurance, and an honest attempt on the patient. My brother had to put in the work. He had to work through cravings, aggressive behaviors, the impulses, uncomfortable habits. Thanks to his hard work, I have him back. It is always a work in progress, but I am thankful for his endurance. 10. Family Support and Understanding is Essential A support network can mean many positive things – From a listening ear to financial support family/friends are amazing. For those who struggle with suicide, this is essential. I think VIncent would agree, we are lucky to have such a great family unit. So many struggle with far more life issues, and have far less support. Our support network has given him the freedom to live and not panic or worry hugely. 11. Diagnosis Doesn’t Define You as a Person Despite the fact that this whole article was written about Vince and his Bipolar/Substance abuse dual diagnosis, it doesn't define him. In fact, most days now, we forget about it. Vince will have this condition for the rest of his life. He knows how best to manage it but there are still hard times. Either way, he will continue explaining it to people who ask, so that people can understand. Yes, you can live a full and fulfilling life with this illness and so that stigma falls. 12. Call The Last House for Help or Referral IM SERIOUS. No matter the concern questions, they will answer the phone. Reach out to them. I am so thankful to have my brother back. We went through hell and back for years. This program came to us in a time of crisis, and so I want you to know about it. The Last House is a nonjudgmental support system who can provide top notch treatment to the guys out there. And if you need a f emale referral, call them! They will find a resource for you. Now Vince is carrying on with a full functioning independent life. He has his friends, family, and community who make him even better. Words can not begin to describe how thankful I am for this program. Thank you Clayton, Chris, Andy, Miles, and the team who truly gave my my brother back. I hope this blog does some justification to the horror we felt and the journey we overcame with mental health and substance abuse. Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, S ponsored Capella University MSN student , a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com ​ Resources THE LAST HOUSE www.thelasthouse.net The Last House Mental Health Education Scholarship https://thelasthouse.net/the-last-house-college-scholarship/ Last House Instagram: @thelasthouse AA - 12 step programing https://aa.org/ Last House Intro Video Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utWRC168Z78

Did you know all newborns are scored two numbers at birth? {at 1 minute & 5 minutes of life} “APGAR Scoring System” is a method to quickly summarize the health of a newborn. The score is given checking muscle tone, heart rate, reflexes, etc. to assess if extra medical care is needed. Developed in 1952 by Dr. Virgina Apgar at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Criteria listed below: Every baby gets an APGAR score, but as a parent, it can be a completely foreign topic that leaves you worried and confused, especially if your infant ends up getting a low score. To help you better understand the APGAR scoring method and what it does, here are some quick answers to the most common questions. Why Was The Test Created? The APGAR score is used to check some key signs of your newborn baby, but keep in mind that most babies rarely gets a perfect score and it should not cause alarm if your baby does get a low score. A low score just indicates to doctors that they need to look for potential issues so that your infant can be cared for the best. Generally, the APGAR score is a baby's first assessment. Its purpose is to check their basic health, like heart rate, but it's not an indicator (in any way) of your baby's future behavior or intellect. The test is only a basic assessment to help doctors provide your baby with the highest level of care. The test itself was developed all the way back in 1952 by Virginia APGAR, an obstetric anesthesiologist. It is a standard tool by which all newborn babies are assessed. What Is APGAR Used For? In short, the APGAR test is a quick assessment of your newborn's physical wellness. It will help medical staff determine if present or future medical care may be required for your baby in addition to the standard care that infants receive. When Is The APGAR Test Performed? It is standard procedure for every doctor to perform the APGAR test on a newborn baby. The test is actually performed twice. First, the APGAR test is performed right after your baby is delivered. The test scores will be recorded, and then the test will be completed again five minutes after your baby’s birth. Both scores will be used. Completing the test twice helps ensure accuracy and it also helps the doctors detect any discrepancies that may have occurred from the first test to the second test. Changes between the scores or two low scores could mean issues, and so the APGAR test helps doctors get your baby assessed right away so that they can deliver appropriate care to your infant. What Does An APGAR Score Mean? A score between 7 and 10 is considered normal. A score between 4 and 6 indicates that breathing assistance may be required. A score under 4 means that prompt, life-saving measures may be called for. To get the overall score for an infant, a score of 0 to 2 will be assigned for each of the 5 aspects medical staff will check. Heart rate: 0 means there is no heart rate, 1 means there are fewer than 100 beats per minute (not very responsive), 2 means there are more than 100 beats per minute (baby is vigorous) Respiration: 0 means there is no breathing, 1 means there is a weak cry, 2 means there is a strong cry Muscle tone: 0 means the baby is limp, 1 means the baby has some flexion, 2 means the baby has active motion Reflex Response: 0 means no response to their airways being stimulated, 1 means there is a grimace during stimulation, and 2 means there is a grimace and cough/sneeze during stimulation Color: 0 means the baby's entire body is blue/pale, 1 means the baby has good color except on their hands/feet, 2 means the baby is completely pink and has good color It's important to keep in mind that an infant rarely has a perfect score. Medical staff will communicate with you if both APGAR tests come back with a low score or if they have a reason for concern. APGAR A- Appearance (skin color pink or blue) P -Pulse (rate or beats per minute) G -Grimace (did he/she cry to stimulation) A -Activity (appropriate reflex of flexion) R - Respiration (breathing pattern assessed) APGAR range 0-10, 10 being best. After the baby is born (if higher level of care is needed) these scores help us understand the newborns health status in the NICU setting. What Happens If My Baby Has A Low APGAR Score? If your baby has a low APGAR score, medical staff will first focus on getting your baby into a stable condition and then they will seek to find answers to the questions that will be weighing on your mind, like what has caused your baby’s low score. As medical staff works to discover if there is an underlying condition or another cause of your baby's low score, they will keep you updated throughout the process. More importantly, they will keep you informed about your baby's current state of health and what to expect in the coming days. NICU Nurse Essential Resources American Academy of Pediatrics Academy of Neonatal Nursing Childhood & Adult Immunization CDC Guidelines March of Dimes! Resources for parents & providers Access 1,300+ Drugs with Easy-to-Understand Lactation Risk Categories National Association of Neonatal Nurses National Certification Corporation - NICU National certifications for experienced nurses NICU University & Peds University Vermont Oxford Network - 1,300 hospitals collaborating around the world! Tori's Tips on NICU NURSE 101: See Blog Post ​ Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, S ponsored Capella University MSN student , a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com

As much as I love working with my preemie babies, I think it is more important for YOU to learn how to help avoid us NICU providers. Yes, premature births are on the rise. Working as a bedside Neonatal Nurse (and having worked in many hospitals across the Southern CA region) I can say first hand how prevalent this is becoming. But this is not a time to fret! In fact, I think this is a time to EMPOWER you! More knowledge and education the better! I have a few things I can confidently say I have learned over the past 8 years in NICU Nurse practice that may help you along your way. I hope to give you some insight into how to help prevent a premature birth (or NICU admission) & provide some useful Tips in your own pregnancy! Let's start from the beginning A pregnancy normally lasts about 40 weeks. Important growth and development happen throughout pregnancy, especially in the final months and weeks. Premature Birth Preterm birth occurs for a variety of reasons. Most preterm births happen spontaneously, but some are due to early induction of labour or caesarean birth, whether for medical or non-medical reasons. (World Health Organization). A premature birth is a birth that takes place more than three weeks before the baby's estimated due date. In other words, a premature birth is one that occurs before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy. Premature babies, especially those born very early, often have complicated medical problems. Here are sub-categories of preterm birth, based on gestational age: Extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks) Very preterm (28 to 32 weeks) Moderate to late preterm (32 to 37 weeks). Problems that a baby born too early may have include: Breathing problems Feeding difficulties Cerebral palsy Developmental delay Vision problemsHearing problems Preventing Premature Birth Preventing preterm birth remains a challenge because there are many causes of preterm birth, and because causes may be complex and not always well understood. We don't know why this happens. However, there are some predetermining factors and important steps every pregnant women can take to help reduce their risk of preterm birth and improve their general health. THEREFORE, I DO HAVE SOME TIPS THAT MIGHT HELP YOU BEFORE OR DURING YOUR PREGNANCY! 1. Get Healthy BEFORE your pregnancy Although this may seem obvious many factors such as excess weight, blood pressure, diabetes, and overall physical well being are HUGE factors in a pregnancy and women's well being. Getting a handle on all of this prior to pregnancy is key!! 2. Prenatal Care Prior to trying to conceive, check in with your Doctor! A Pre Pregnancy Doctor Visit can help shed some light on changes you may need to do prior to pregnancy. Example: change in medication regimen, adding a vital supplement, decreasing your weight, managing blood pressure, controlling sugars (Diabetic Type I or II and then Gestational Diabetes). 3. Take a Prenatal Multivitamin. One of the most essential ingredients being Folic Acid. Recommended dosage being 400 micrograms (mcg) of Folic Acid. Why is this so important? Folic Acid is an essential helps a developing the fetus brain and spinal cord. These develop within the first 10 weeks of conception, and often the time when you don't even realize you are pregnant! Taking a multivitamin prior to pregnancy can help prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida, anencephaly, encephalocele, and other various issues. 4. Lifestyle Considerations We are in a busy working population. Many women are focusing on their career where stress, lack of sleep, and long work days are priority. Our general population is waiting longer to have children. My suggestion, if you are planning on having children attempt to limit stress, plan ahead, and try to start your family with a healthy mind & within a good age range. Advanced maternal age (AMA) is now considered 35+. While women can have healthy pregnancies later in life, statistics start changing after 35 years of age. 5. Blood Pressure Management High blood pressure is one of the greatest risk factors for a Premature birth. The increased pressure affects blood flow to the placenta and can limit blood supply to the growing fetus. (AKA essential nutrients, oxygen, eliminate waste etc). Women with gestational hypertension have high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Many babies are delivered early due to Pre-Eclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious condition of pregnancy, and can be particularly dangerous because many of the signs are silent while some symptoms resemble “normal” effects of pregnancy on your body. It characterized by high blood pressure and usually the presence of protein in the urine. Swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision are important symptoms; however, some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms. My point, go into your pregnancy with knowledge and good management of your blood pressure. 6. Diabetes Management. Type I, Type II, and Gestational diabetes. Diabetes is Diabetes! Sugar is Sugar. It's all about the sugars! Sugars affect a growing fetus in many ways. Babies exposed to high sugar levels can experience breathing difficulty due to less mature lungs, high red blood cell count (polycythemia), high bilirubin level (newborn jaundice) increased risk for birth defects and even stillbirth. It also increases the risk for birth defects, including problems with the formation of the heart, brain, spinal cord, urinary tract, and gastrointestinal system. (Stanford Children's Hospital) In addition, they may grow excessively (Macrosomia) causing a birth injury or "traumatic birth" and then develop dangerously low sugar levels after birth (hypoglycemia). How does this happen? After delivery they are no longer supplied with the sugars provided by the mother, therefore the baby continues to have a high insulin level, but it no longer has the high level of glucose from its mother, resulting in the newborn's blood glucose level becoming very low. Sugar (Glucose) is one of the essential parts of a rapidly growing brain, if the levels drop too low after birth it may cause brain damage. (Hence NICU care and management). VISIT THE PRENATAL NUTRITIONIST FOR SOME GREAT TIPS! 7. Quit Smoking & Bad Habits For help quitting, see  How to Quit Smoking & Avoid alcohol and drugs. Most likely if you are reading this, it wouldn't be an issue, but in case it is please seek medical advice to help. 8. Healthy Mindset!!!! I can not begin to express this one enough. One of the best things you can do for your baby is develop a healthy mindset. What do I mean? Limit stress as much as possible. If you struggle with anxiety or depression seek attention prior to pregnancy and make sure you have a good support system after delivery as well. A healthy mind set will truly help your baby in every way. From hormones & chemical imbalances to a healthy lifestyle this can truly help you and your baby. If you are a mother with a "High Risk Delivery" head over to check out this awesome book!! Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy. By: Parijat Deshpande (Author) 8. Educate Yourself. Warning Signs of Preterm Labor Any woman can have Preterm labor. Preterm labor is labor that occurs before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Seek medical attention for ANY warning signs or symptoms of preterm labor. Contractions that made your belly tighten every 10 minutes or more often, change in color of your vaginal discharge or bleeding, fluid leak, low dull back ache, cramps that feel like your period, belly cramps with or without diarrhea. (See video below) 9. Communicate with Your Healthcare Provider. Regular check ups and checking in with your provider is key to a successful, happy, healthy pregnancy. Communicate openly about your current health status, family history (any history of preterm births in your family), and develop a rapport with your provider. Tip: When you think of a question, make a note of it in your phone to ask your provider at your visit. 10. Relax & Enjoy your Pregnancy As stated earlier, we live in a fast paced, high stress world. Stress can put a negative affect on you and your baby. Listen to your body! Get to know your body. Getting off your feet may be necessary during this time. If you need to put your feet up and take a load off be mindful of that. 11. MOST IMPORTANTLY! Do Your Research. No one plans to have a Premature baby. But it does happen! And in my opinion, knowledge is power. Speak to your healthcare professional about your hospitals facilities and make a general plan IF you were to deliver early. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF...SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN? So many Moms & Dads admit to our NICU with NO knowledge of what to expect or what resources are available to them. If you are planning to travel while pregnant, do a little research about the hospitals near your destination. What would happen if you did go into preterm labor, what hospital would you go to, how far along are you, what would you expect for your baby at that gestation? I have personally cared for many babies whose parents were traveling out of state (and out of the country for that matter). And life plans changed when baby decided to come early! All I am saying, plan ahead. Educate yourself/s. If you are seeking some NICU insight check out my blog on all things NICU! 11. Ethnic & Race Consideration We are not clear the reasons for premature births but some races, ethnicities, & various populations / regions are at higher risk for a Premature Birth. In general Black & Hispanic races are more prone to premature birth. Whether it is accessibility to healthcare, lifestyle, genetic components, or mistrust in the healthcare system, these populations are higher risk and statistically have a higher rate in premature birth. However, preterm birth is truly a global problem. In the lower-income countries, on average, 12% of babies are born too early compared with 9% in higher-income countries. Within countries, poorer families are at higher risk. The United States is one of the Top 10 Counties for Premature I truly hope you found this information helpful! I am in hopes that this brought you helpful tips and useful information about Preterm Birth. I understand this topic can be "Taboo" and "Off-Putting" however, after my years of experience at the bedside and working with families with premature babies, I felt this post needed to happen! Knowledge is power! My hope is to bring awareness and while I love caring for my NICU babies, hopefully see a few less premature babies along the way! Rescources & Sited information for Preterm Birth Information 1. March of Dimes 2. Center for Disease Control and Prevention 3. World Health Organization 4. Mayo Clinic 5. The Prenatal Nutritionist 6. Mommy Labor Nurse 7. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 8. Brave Beginnings Tori's Tips on NICU NURSE 101: See Blog Post Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com

Let’s face it, wedding planning can be stressful & overwhelming. During the process it is easy to get swept up in the details of your Day! Despite the stress here are a few Tips to help ease the wedding planning process! 1. Work As A Team With Your Fiancé Don't feel like you're in this wedding planning process alone. Turn to your fiancé for help along the way and even make wedding planning something fun you do together. 2. Get Organized You can use checklists, spreadsheets, Word/Google Docs—anything, really—as long as you have all your thoughts, budgets, numbers, etc. in one place. There are also some great programs and apps out there that can keep you organized. 3. Don’t Rush Into Decisions It may be enticing to book the first photographer or florist you meet, but take a step back and weigh all your options before making any quick decisions. 4. Talk to Other Married Couples Did you just attend a wedding you really enjoyed? Chat with that couple! They probably have some expert tips and tricks for you. Sometimes friends and family are the best source. 5. Use Vendors You’re Comfortable With Build a team of people you really vibe well with. They should have a good sense of your vision and you should be able to trust them to execute it well. Make sure they appreciate your business so you don’t feel bad when you inevitably have to call and ask questions! 6. Recruit Help Remember that you’re not in this alone! Your bridal party, family members and especially your fiancé are here to help. Be sure to delegate some tasks to take some of the load off of you. 7. Add A Personal Touch With all of the wedding traditions that people tell you that you should have at your wedding, be sure to plan in some personal traditions too. If your family has any wedding traditions that they've done in the past, or if there is something you want to start for future generations, don't be afraid to give your wedding a personal touch. 8. Focus on the Big Picture Don’t get too hung up on the small details. Your guests won’t notice if your table runners are the wrong shade of blue or if the appetizers came out 15 minutes late. The second you walk down the aisle let go of all the small stuff. Hey, you’re getting married! 9. Take Some Time Off For the sake of your own sanity, make sure you schedule some time for you and your fiancé to be together and do anything but wedding plan. Trust me, you’ll need the break! Consider taking the week before the wedding off work, both to make sure last minute details are completed, and just to chill. One of the BEST pieces of advice we received was to get a Couples Massage the week before the Wedding. Jacob & I LOVED THIS. It was a time to reconnect, relax, & revive our wedding excitement! And if massages aren’t your thing, a nice dinner a night on the town a walk on the beach or in the city, your happy place together, etc. Whatever it may be, take private time for each other in your last few days as an Engaged Couple! 10. Say Thanks Gratitude goes a long way. You should always arrange for small gifts for your wedding party and anyone else who played a big role in your planning process. Don’t forget mom and dad! Tori's Tips on NICU NURSE 101: See Blog Post ​ Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com

Let’s Talk the infamous DRESS (Dress: Ines Di Santo) I would be lying if I didn’t say, this is likely the HIGHLIGHT of you (and your groom’s) day! Although you may feel some overwhelming decision making in your court, here are some sensible TIPS I learned from in my process! PICK THE DRESS THAT YOU LOVE What I mean is, if you love the dress, (but it doesn’t “fit” your venue) who cares! Don’t be afraid to love outside the box. It’s YOUR Day. DON’T BE AFRAID TO SAY NO Yes, I am the bride who purchased dresses! Why?! Because I felt pressured into my first dress. When it comes down to your “gut” feeling, go with it! THE TWO DRESS RUT Stuck between 2 dresses? My advice...pick the you think your GROOM would LOVE YOU wearing! I bet there is one dress that is a little more “YOU” & “HIM” PRICE $$ Well, I am not one to weigh in one this after all....I purchased two dresses! But if you have a range, no fear! There are Soooo many dresses out there. Keep looking. TOO MUCH PINTEREST Of course I searched high and low on Pinterest for the “Perfect” Dress. But don’t go crazy! Instead focus on the fit and style YOU like when trying on dresses ENJOY THE PROCESS Take in every moment. Invite the people you want in your life to share the decision making (& try not to please everyone, some people might be a little too vocal for you). Also, if someone can’t make it, that’s ok!! Don’t DWELL. Appreciate each moment LOOKING TO RESELL? I kept my actual dress, however I owned a perfectly brand new one (of course the store would NOT allow returns) TIP: Donate your Dress! I chose to donate my dress to THE BRIDAL GARDEN and used the TAX WRITE off! The dress went to a good cause and I made (most) of my money back (I did not have luck trying to resell online) The Dress: http://inesdisanto.com/ The Dress Shop: http://www.mbridesalon.com/ The Veil: https://dressanomalie.com/ The Boots: http://www.ariat.com/ Tori's Tips to Pick the Perfect Wedding Dress: See Blog Post Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com

Being a NICU Nurse, I am very aware of the amazing outcomes we are creating in the NICU population everyday! Did you know that 1 in 9 babies is born prematurely? Yes, 1 in 9 babies is born prematurely! (37 weeks and younger). That is a lot of premature babies....and a lot of hospitals required to care for each and every premature baby born. However, did you know that many hospitals are limited by funding and are unable to purchase vital equipment needed to help save these babies?! Working bedside as a NICU nurse, I see the need for this equipment everyday! We could not save the lives and create the best outcomes without our bedside equipment, monitors, and new technologies. That is why when I learned about Brave Beginnings, I passionately teamed up to help support their cause and bring awareness to this issue! Which is why I was so thrilled to come on with the Brave Beginnings team and John Cena to help spread awareness about this issue! EXCLUSIVE: John Cena, the actor and pro wrestling champion, will be appearing on theater screens all across the country this summer in a 30-second PSA urging movie-goers to support the work of Brave Beginnings, an initiative of the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation that’s helped save the lives of thousands of premature babies. Brave Beginnings started as a program under the Will Rogers Institute. The Will Rogers Institute was the research and training center created at the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital (a tuberculosis sanitarium closed in 1972). WRI focus is funding pulmonary medicine training fellowships and free educational materials about pulmonary diseases and disorders. In 2006, another charity from the entertainment industry asked us to partner on a grant to fund an incubator for a hospital in Los Angeles. A couple of years later, the Will Rogers Institute Neonatal Ventilator Program was established. In 2015, the WRI Neonatal Ventilator Program was renamed Brave Beginnings. The program is committed to provide funding for all types of lifesaving equipment in NICUs nationwide, not just ventilator equipment. Since 2006, Brave Beginnings has contributed millions of dollars to facilities across the United States. Each year, the program spends roughly $1 million in grants awarded to hospitals nationwide. The funds are used to purchase vital equipment for Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) caring for fragile lives born too soon. The mission of Brave Beginnings is simple: to provide hospital NICUs the equipment they need to ensure that every premature infant has a fighting chance at healthy development. Our goal is to someday be able to fulfill every grant request we receive and not delay a grant for a year or two until funds become available. If a hospital has a need, we want to fulfill it. Due to the overwhelming need for this type of equipment, the program is expected to triple in size within the next few years!! Brave Beginnings was previously named, “The Will Rogers Institute Neonatal Equipment Grant Program.” Since 2006, the charity has contributed $7.7 million in grants for life-saving ventilator equipment to neonatal intensive care units at 160 U.S. hospitals. This, the charitable organization says, “has impacted the lives of 176,000 babies.” THE HEART (& LUNGS) OF THE MATTER Preterm birth remains among the top causes of infant death. A "Preemie" is defined as an infant born earlier than 37 weeks of pregnancy. At birth, Preemies are at greater risk for both short and long-term health complications than full term infants Short-term complications include breathing problems such as respiratory distress syndrome, heart issues like patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), hypothermia, gastrointestinal problems and an underdeveloped immune system, which can lead to life-threatening infections. Preemies face potentially lifelong complications such as cerebral palsy, impaired cognitive skills, vision and hearing problems, as well as behavioral and psychological problems. The care given in the first hour after birth, often known as the “Golden Hour,” is crucial for the long-term health of a Preemie. Having access to the right medical equipment for neonatal care is truly a matter of life and death. Without adequate neonatal equipment and beds, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) staff (such as myself) often face the challenging problem of sharing essential equipment amongst Preemies, necessitating moving a baby from one piece of equipment to another. Research shows that 27% of infants who are moved from one point of care to another experience complications such as hypothermia We are now saving babies as young as 23-34 weeks!! That is extremely exciting, however we could NOT do this without the help of our new technologies! It’s assumed that a hospital has everything it needs to take care of patients. That is true, however, in the NICU, hospitals can have a need for more equipment or need to replace outdated equipment, so infants don’t just survive but also have a chance to thrive once they leave the NICU. Their goal is to give medical providers the tools they need to help a premature infant finish developing and limit the chances of a life-long disorder or learning disability. Due to the high rate of premature births in the US (1 in 10 babies born), it is important people understand that there is a generation of children dealing with life-long ailments and that has a huge economic impact on our economy. Provider Equipment Includes: 1. GIRAFFE OMNIBED (Isolettes) 2. AIRBORNE 750I TRANSPORT INCUBATOR 3. NICU BRONCHOSCOPE WITH FLEXIBLE INTUBATION VIDEO ENDOSCOPE KIT 2. VENTILATORS 3. BLENDERS (FOR NASAL CANNULA SUPPORT) 4. PULSE OX PROBES 5. STETHESCOPES 6. NEOPUFFS And SOOOO much more! This being said, all of these products are expensive & many NICU hospitals can not afford these items. Annually, Brave Beginnings provides grants for essential neonatal intensive care equipment such as critical airway carts, infant resuscitators, incubators, omnibeds and much more. To date, we have granted $8.1 million to 175 hospitals across the United States. We strive to be the leading grant provider for the purchase of neonatal ventilator equipment and critical pulmonary services for hospitals throughout the US. I am here to bring awareness to our community & help share their MISSION! Check out their website to learn more! Spread the word & hopefully we can continue to save every baby. More recently, stars who’ve pitched in include Barbra Streisand, Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, Shirley MacLaine, Julie Andrews, Warren Beatty, Sally Field, Jeff Bridges, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Keaton, Liza Minnelli, Lily Tomlin, Sharon Stone, Liam Hemsworth, Geena Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tommy Lee Jones, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Todd Vradenburg (WRMPPF) Executive Director pictured with NICU Nurse Tori Meskin, Paramount’s Kyle Davies, and Brave Beginnings’ Christina Blumer – photo credit should be attributed to Capture Imaging. All other photos are courtesy Brave Beginnings. HEAD OVER TO CHECK OUT: Brave Beginnings Tori's Tips on NICU NURSE 101: See Blog Post NICU Nurse Essential Resources American Academy of Pediatrics Academy of Neonatal Nursing Childhood & Adult Immunization CDC Guidelines March of Dimes! Resources for parents & providers Access 1,300+ Drugs with Easy-to-Understand Lactation Risk Categories National Association of Neonatal Nurses National Certification Corporation - NICU National certifications for experienced nurses NICU University & Peds University Vermont Oxford Network - 1,300 hospitals collaborating around the world! Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassado & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com