[Billiegirl]

Hello Everyone!

To start out, I am a pre-nursing student and a NA in a busy ER, but I eventually want to become a pediatric flight nurse. At the moment there is a position open for a NA in our level 3 NICU. So I’m trying to make the decision to either stay in the ER (which I LOVE) or go to the NICU. Like I said I love my job now but…. Does anybody have any advise on which route might give me a better experience?

Billie

[suzanne4]

The ER will give you alot more experience.................espeically with what your goals are at this point. A Level III is not going to dealing with the type of patients that you would normally see.

Good luck with your studies.................

[jhowirn]

I'd say stick with the ER. I've worked on a general pediatric floor and in the ER. From my experience working general pediatrics, I can tell you that as a pediatric flight nurse, your patients are still going to come in all shapes and sizes. The pediatric hospital that I used to work at took patients ranging in age from newborn to 18 years. Besides, you're still going to see kids in your ER, even if it's in an adult hospital.

[Gompers]

Agree - definitely stay in the ER.

1. You won't see trauma in the NICU, and that's what you need to learn. Yes, kids react differently to trauma than adults - they compensate for much longer than an adult does, but when they reach their crashing point - DAMN. This is the crazy stuff you need to be around if you're going into flight nursing, no matter peds or adult.

2. You won't get to DO anything in the NICU, honestly, as a nursing assistant. Maybe vital signs, bathing, and feeding very very stable babies getting ready to go home. Maybe holding a very cranky baby for hours on end. Sometimes filling in for a secretary that called in sick. Trust me, I was a nursing assistant in the NICU and we have them in my current unit.

3. There is a vast difference between the NICU and pediatrics or even PICU. The NICU is so specialized, it's like nothing else out there. It won't really help you in the long run if you want pediatrics.

4. Actually, even if there was a spot in the PICU, I'd wait to transfer there until you're an RN. You might get to do more in the PICU than in the NICU as a nursing assistant, but you're still much better off in the ER. I'm sure you get to do all kinds of cool stuff already!

GOOD LUCK!!!!

[RoxanRN2003]

Originally Posted by Billiegirl

Hello Everyone!

To start out, I am a pre-nursing student and a NA in a busy ER, but I eventually want to become a pediatric flight nurse. At the moment there is a position open for a NA in our level 3 NICU. So I’m trying to make the decision to either stay in the ER (which I LOVE) or go to the NICU. Like I said I love my job now but…. Does anybody have any advise on which route might give me a better experience?

Billie

I'm with everyone else, but if you want to fly, you will need additional education. The majority of flight services want their employees to be both RN AND EMT-P and at least one year of ICU/ER RN experience. Not to mention all the alphabet soup you can get to put after your name.

[ClaireMacl]

I'd stay in the Ed, like everyone else has said. The trauma training will be invaluable!

Does your ED have a paediatric department? I work in paeds regularly as an Adult trained RN, I find the experience invaluable. I believe that myself and the other senior ED nurses are going to work directly with the paediatric trained team for a prolonged period of time to extend our knowledge further, which is fab.

Best of luck with your choices!

[Billiegirl]

Thank You to everyone that replied.

I'll think I will be sticking with my ER for a while. Besides, I've got to see what it looks like when it is remodeled. Completion date 2011!

On a side note, I have put my application for a pediatric ER about an hour and half drive away. The things we do for a career!

Billie