Challenges of being a Neonatal Nurse

Neonatal Nurses are considered a valuable professional to call upon when babies are born with a certain health condition considered special or delicate. In their noble profession they come across many challenges and rewards on a routine basis, which leave many dissatisfactions as well as satisfactions and joys, which are well worth living.

They must maintain a neutral demeanor, so to speak, since in their job they are prone to suffer from good and bad moments.

Challenges in the work of a Neonatal Nurse

There are several challenges that nurses face, which are mentioned below:

  • Managing to maintain a professional boundary between the baby’s parents, this is due to the fact that depending on the baby’s condition, the baby may remain under their care for a long time, it is not easy to maintain a purely professional attitude with the parents and family members.
  • Nor is it easy to cope with the pain of the death of a patient a few days old, when we have devoted all the attention required.
  • Putting oneself in the place of the parents and family members is definitely painful, as is coping with setbacks and obstacles together, since the baby’s emotional stability depends on it.
  • Knowing how to cope with the stress that can be caused by the pressure that can be experienced in the NICU, considering that newborns are usually extremely vulnerable and unstable patients. In these cases it is not easy to stay concentrated and especially focused on what needs to be done.
  • Newborns at birth can develop unforeseen complications, and it is at these times that the neonatal nurse’s astuteness must be put to the test and acted upon diligently.
  • Having the necessary knowledge to answer all the questions asked by parents and family members throughout the newborn care process.

Opportunities and satisfactions

  • Neonatal Nurses have an important role to play in the event that parents become anxious or even lose control, as they can offer a positive approach to the situation.
  • Fortunately, they are professionals who are there to teach parents the best way to care for their baby after discharge from the hospital. This brings a lot of satisfaction to the neonatal nurse, understanding that their patient will be treated with love and the necessary care.
  • Today, the emergence of Covid-19 is no secret to the world, which has led Neonatal Nurses to adopt contingency plans with the sole purpose of protecting their patients and families. This has led to a focus on neurodevelopmental care and, of course, personalized care for all members of the family.

Summary

For Neonatal Nurses, their patients are the only and important beings that deserve special attention in order to preserve their lives. That is why their challenges are based on protecting them at all costs, and this can only be ensured by always providing basic care for newborns.

In addition, it is also necessary to create the necessary strategies to guarantee the rights of newborns and therefore adequate care in hospitals and neonatal intensive care units.

We must not let our guard down nowadays, especially when there is a latent and perennial risk of so many infectious attacks that can affect the health of babies and their families.

Marlene J. Shockley

My name is Marlene J. Shockley, and I am a Registered Nurse (RN). I have always been interested in helping people and Nursing seemed like the perfect career for me. After completing my Nursing Degree, I worked in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and home health care. I have also had the opportunity to work as a Travelling Nurse, which has allowed me to see different parts of the country and meet new people. No matter where I am working, I enjoy getting to know my patients and their families and helping them through whatever medical challenges they may be facing.