[PICUKID]

Hi,
I am 17 years old and a junior in high school I have recently been exploring various fields/ occupations and this seemed like a welcoming group so I was wondering if anyone would be willing to answer some questions. (I already have a feeling this is going to get long so I apologize in advance.

A potential career I have been considering has been nursing in the PICU. I have come to this specific conclusion based on the fact that I as my name says a PICU kid, I have grown up in and out of the PICU due to an array of medical problems including Hydrocephalus, agenesis of right lung, macular scaring and so on. So I am naturally drown to the department where I spend the most time I suppose. My two main questions are these:

1. Though I do maintain good grades in high level classes in a regular high school I do mildly have many of the learning disabilities common with Hydrocephalus such as trouble with math and memory. Also as I have said I do have vision impairment but I am not blind. I do have a knack for picking up medicine better then stuff in school I guess because I have been around it so much and I am interested. I am afraid though that these set backs may make nursing even more stressful and difficult for me. The only PICU experience I have is as a patient so I am looking for input from someone who is familiar with my conditions as well as the field.

2. Another huge part of life is theater and ideally what I would like to do is develop a theater program in the hospital I work in for the long term patients and frequent fliers to take part in. And another potential field I have considered has been Child Life Specialist. Do you think this would be an easer way to achieve this goal?
Thank you in advance and as I said I am sorry for this getting so long.

PICUKID

[suzanne4]

Medicine, whether care of a child, neonate, or adult, involves a lot of math and remembering the names of drugs, diseases, etc. With your previous life experiences, you would probably be perfect as a Child Life Specialist, most importantly, as you have been there firsthand.

Good luck to you, and remember that this is just my opinion. I am sure that there will be others.

[PICUKID]

What kind of math (how high level math) is used in nursing? I will graduate with Trig and algebra II and I get B's in a regular (not SpEd) class.

[nursepearl]

Wow, you sound like you have a good head on your shoulders. I am impressed that you are looking into being an RN. It sounds like you are pretty good in math and the level you will complete will be fine for the RN level. Most of what we do is Algebra based.
I would suggest you look up medication calculations online and see if you can solve some or understand the math.
Good luck to you!
Pearl

[irishrose53]

Originally Posted by nursepearl

Wow, you sound like you have a good head on your shoulders. I am impressed that you are looking into being an RN. It sounds like you are pretty good in math and the level you will complete will be fine for the RN level. Most of what we do is Algebra based.
I would suggest you look up medication calculations online and see if you can solve some or understand the math.
Good luck to you!
Pearl

Hi PICUKID.
I had a son who spent the last 12 years of his life in a PICU. I ended up in nursing school for the same reasons- Although I have NO desire to end up in the PICU. My kid suffered from reoccuring brain tumors and he had no problems with math either. We use the same math over and over again. Once you learn it you got it. You have the same math as I do-only with better grades! Good for you. Set your goals high. Talk to a guidence person. People with disabilities are entitled to help. I do know this-if you have your hydro problem under control-those deficits tend to repair with time. If, you find out that nursing isn't for you there are plenty of other fields out there for you. You are special and because of that you have alot to offer. There is OT, and PT and Speech. I'm sure I don't have to tell you all of this. Keep your options open and fly girlfriend. We are hear for you no matter what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!