Committees & Accomplishments

These are a few of the projects and programs that I initiated, administered, managed, or played a key part in.

NICU Committees

• Interior Design committee

NICU Toilet Paper Times

Newspaper themed announcements that I helped to create to be stuck on the back of toilet doors. This is a fun way to get educational material or announcements out into the ward.

Cheat Cards

• NICU Notes
• Breastfeeding Latch Assessment
• Preparation to Feed Cues (PREPS)

I needed a way to remember the elements within the mnemonic "ABCDEFG" to enable me to write succinct and pertinent NICU-specific nursing notes. So I created these laminated "cheat cards" to go on staff ID card holders, so that every time I write patient notes I can quickly refer to my ID card to ensure nothing is forgotten.

I then created the same cards for the Breastfeeding Latch Assessment and Preparation to Feed Cues tables, to enable accurate scoring and documentation.

I am currently working on creating a card with the PIPP and NPASS (two infant pain scoring scales).

Time Planner and Handover Sheet

When I first started in the NICU, I knew that I needed to be well organised. I had always used a planner while working as an AIN, not only for my own time management, but so that when working as a team, we were able to easily communicate tasks that had been completed and the tasks that were yet to be done. So when I transitioned to the NICU as a TRN, I knew I needed a similar planner so that I could easily organise my day, and ensured I did not forget anything that needed to be done for the babies in my care.

I also wanted a way to remember the background of each of the babies and their mothers in my care, why the babies were in the ward, their needs and medications, as well as questions to ask the medical team as they arose. I incorporated a "ISBAR handover" template into the planner, which also enabled efficient handover of these babies in my care to the next shift and for babies who were being discharged to another hospital or back to the maternity unit.

I was a bit nervous about using it, as I did not want anyone to think I was silly for not being able to remember, or angry that I was changing things. However, I was pleasantly surprised when the CNE praised me for my work, and asked for permission for other new starters to access and use these planners if they wish. The digital and printed versions are now in a centralised location accessible to all staff.

I have also had a previous staff member for the digital version, so that they may use it at their new place of work at a different hospital.

This "handover planner" sheet is geared towards babies in the High Dependency Unit (HDU), and I am currently working on one more specific to babies in the ICU.