[Kimbalou]

I work per diem in NICU, but we've been slow for almost 3 mos. I am worried about not getting enough hours. Our PICU is busy!! I've posted about how busy they are. They are expanding from 6 to 10 beds and need more staff. I need the work, and don't really want to go to another hospital. I have floated to PICU twice. The unit takes a lot of post-op neuro pts. I feel ok about the pt.s probably younger than 3, but older than that I start to worry because it's been a long time since I've cared for older pts. I am not afraid to ask questions and get help, I'm just not good at switching jobs...I've only done it once in 17 years!!

Any advice or encouragement would be appreciated.

Thanks

[janfrn]

If you aren't afraid to ask questions and for help, you'll be fine! The patients will be bigger, of course, and the vital signs norms are different for each age group, but the rest of it is pretty similar. You're already used to calculating meds on patient weight, and to interacting with parents. Ask them for a couple of buddy shifts looking after a bigger patient so you can get comfortable, and they'll be glad to accommodate if it means they can call you for help. If not, then maybe you could request little ones or low acuity patients until you're more comfortable. They shouldn't be giving you high acuity kids anyway, for lots of reasons. When you are there, look for opportunities to observe and to provide extra hands. You might find that you like it... we're a lot more relaxed as a group than any NICU crowd I've ever met. Just don't flounder... ask for help when you need it.

[Semele]

I think you will find it very comfortable learning alongside nurses who will be thrilled to have the help. Plus you will be exchanging info with the other nurses as they will come to you for questions regarding NICU grads. At least that is the way it is in our unit. We have NICU nurses float to us occassionally and we always try to assign them the smaller babies for their comfort and we usually end up discussing the differences in our patients etc before the shift is over. Mutual exchange of knowledge under friendly terms is great for all.