125 Questions to Ask a NICU Nurse

Nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit are some of the most extraordinary and amazing people around. They play a vital role in the care of premature and critically ill newborns.

It can be scary and confusing when your baby is in the NICU. You may have a lot of questions but not know who to ask. That’s why I have put together a list of questions you can ask a nurse in the NICU. These are some of the most common questions parents have, so you can be sure you are getting the most accurate information.

Role and Responsibilities

1. What does a typical day in the NICU look like for a nurse?
2. How do you prioritize your tasks in the NICU?
3. How involved are you in the parents’ journey in the NICU?
4. What are the primary responsibilities in your role as a NICU nurse?
5. How do you maintain hygiene in the NICU?
6. What kind of special care do preterm infants require?
7. Can you describe the process of feeding an infant in the NICU?
8. How do you assist doctors during severe cases?
9. What role do NICU nurses play in infant resuscitation?
10. What procedures are NICU nurses responsible for?
11. How do you assess an infant’s condition?
12. How do you implement a care plan in the NICU?
13. How do you handle infants with special needs in the NICU?
14. What role does a NICU nurse play in the extraction of lab samples?
15. How does a NICU nurse manage medication administration?
16. How do you help with lactation counseling?
17. How do you ensure pain management for the infants?
18. How do you prepare infants and their parents for discharge?

Skills and Qualifications needed

1. What qualifications are needed to become a NICU nurse?
2. Are there any specific certifications beneficial for a NICU nurse?
3. How important is neonatal resuscitation certification?
4. What key skills are required for a NICU nurse?
5. What role does continuing education play in your work?
6. How much experience do most hospitals require for a NICU nurse position?
7. How beneficial is having experience in a general pediatrics ward before working in the NICU?
8. What additional training have you undertaken as a NICU nurse?
9. How critical is the ability to work under pressure in the NICU?
10. Can you describe a situation where your critical thinking skills were put to the test?
11. What technological skills are essential in the NICU setting?
12. How important is emotional intelligence in your work as a NICU nurse?
13. What importance does teamwork carry in a NICU nurse’s role?
14. How crucial is attention to detail in the NICU?
15. How important is it to have excellent communication skills as a NICU nurse?
16. How do you keep your medical knowledge current?
17. How important is patient advocacy in your role as a NICU nurse?
18. Are there any soft skills that you consider crucial for a NICU nurse?

Experiences in the NICU

1. Can you describe a particularly challenging day in the NICU?
2. What are some of the most fulfilling moments in your work?
3. How do you handle the emotionally difficult parts of your job?
4. Can you recall a situation that significantly impacted your nursing practice?
5. How have patient interactions shaped your approach as a NICU nurse?
6. How do you manage the transitions of infants in the NICU?
7. Can you mention a case that has stayed with you and why?
8. What are the most rewarding aspects of being a NICU nurse?
9. What’s the hardest decision you’ve had to make in the NICU?
10. How frequent are stressful encounters in the NICU?
11. How did your first day as a NICU nurse look like?
12. Could you share a success story from your career as a NICU nurse?
13. How do you manage your reactions when dealing with a severe case?
14. Can you tell us about a time when you had to deliver difficult news to parents?
15. Has working in the NICU changed your perspective in life? How?
16. What’s the most difficult part about working in a NICU?
17. Can you share an experience that confirmed that you chose the right career?
18. Have you had a surprising case in the NICU? If so, can you share?

Daily Routines and Challenges

1. What is the routine protocol for a newborn’s arrival at the NICU?
2. How do you handle emergency situations in the NICU?
3. What are your significant challenges when dealing with critically ill infants?
4. What’s your protocol for handling infections in the NICU?
5. How do you manage your time effectively in the NICU?
6. How do you coordinate with other NICU nurses during shift changes?
7. What strategies do you employ to maintain focus during long shifts?
8. What part of your daily routine is most critical to the babies’ well-being?
9. How do you handle high-stress situations in the NICU?
10. Can you describe what rounds look like in the NICU?
11. What is the toughest part of your daily routine in the NICU?
12. What measures do you take to ensure the comfort of the infants under your care?
13. How do you maintain a balance between attending to infants and communicating with parents?
14. How frequently do you communicate updates on the baby’s condition to the parents?
15. What level of documentation is necessary in your daily routine?
16. How do you pull yourself up on particularly difficult days?
17. Have any unexpected events ever disrupted your daily routine suddenly?
18. How do you cope with the physical demands of the job?

Emotional Coping and Support

1. How do you manage the emotional impact of working in the NICU?
2. What kind of support system is available for nurses in the NICU?
3. How does your hospital handle nurse burnout and stress in the workplace?
4. What advice would you give to someone struggling with the emotional demands of NICU work?
5. How do you decompress after a hard day’s work?
6. Do you have a mentor or a support network that helps you navigate tough times in your profession?
7. How do you maintain your mental health while dealing with emotionally demanding situations?
8. Can you share a personal practice that helps you maintain your emotional balance?
9. What strategies do you apply to prevent compassion fatigue?
10. How does your institution support you during particularly stressful circumstances?
11. How often do you participate in debriefings or support groups?
12. What has been your toughest emotional challenge as a NICU nurse?
13. Is there workplace guidance available when you’re dealing with bereavement in the NICU?
14. How do you handle emotional responsibilities with parents while managing the clinical care of infants?
15. What lessons have you learned about self-care as a NICU nurse?
16. How do you cope with the sadness of losing a patient?
17. Did you ever face emotional exhaustion, and how did you overcome it?
18. Have your emotions ever affected your work, and how did you manage that?

Collaboration with Other Medical Professionals

1. How do you effectively communicate with other team members in the NICU?
2. Can you share an instance where collaboration significantly affected patient outcomes?
3. How do NICU nurses work with lactation consultants for the benefit of newborns?
4. What is the nature of collaboration between the NICU nurse and a dietitian?
5. How does your team handle critical situations in the NICU?
6. Can you throw light on the importance of interdisciplinary communication in the NICU?
7. How do you work with different disciplines like Respiratory Therapists, Social Workers, and Pharmacists in the NICU?
8. What role does shared decision-making play in the NICU?
9. Can you share a situation where a lack of communication led to a problem and how was it resolved?
10. How do you communicate updates to doctors on your team?
11. How do you handle disagreements with a doctor’s approach?
12. How do you coordinate with nurses working in other shifts?
13. How crucial is teamwork in managing the infants’ well-being?
14. Can you recall a time when effective collaboration saved a life in the NICU?
15. How would you describe your working relationship with other NICU staff members?
16. How does collaboration improve the quality of care in the NICU?
17. How important is mutual respect among the NICU team members?

Advice for Aspiring NICU Nurses

1. What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a NICU nurse?
2. How should one prepare for their first day in the NICU?
3. What aspect of your job do you think most people are unaware of?
4. What is the most challenging aspect of your job that newbies should be prepared for?
5. What qualities do you believe a NICU nurse should possess?
6. What steps can aspiring NICU nurses take to gain a competitive edge?
7. Can you share a piece of advice that helped you in your early days in the NICU?
8. How important is mentorship in the beginning stages of NICU nursing?
9. What practices helped you adapt to the NICU environment?
10. How does one handle the pressure as a beginner in NICU nursing?
11. What is one thing you would tell your younger self when you were just starting?
12. What resources would you recommend for those interested in pursuing NICU nursing?
13. Can you suggest any courses or certifications that will help aspiring NICU nurses?
14. What is the one thing that you believe every NICU nurse should keep in mind at all times?
15. How can an aspiring NICU nurse build emotional resilience?
16. What personal habits do you think contribute most to your success in this field?
17. How important is it for aspiring NICU nurses to have real-life exposure through internships or volunteering?
18. What part of your job do you think an aspiring nurse should genuinely understand and value?

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

It’s important for parents of premature infants in the NICU to ask questions. It can help you stay in control and provide peace of mind during a very overwhelming and scary time. These questions are a good starting point to learn more about your baby’s condition, prognosis, treatment plans, and what to expect going forward.

Each nurse brings their own perspective and knowledge base to their job, so don’t be afraid to ask if something isn’t clear to you. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in your ability to cater to your child’s needs.