[ICUkids]

Thanks Allnurses!! PICU is very specialized and I'm always finding myself trying to check off both boxes on surveys, ICU and Peds but it never really fits well. So I wrote Allnurses to ask if there could be a forum for PICU RN's and here it is in one day. Guess I'll have to check in alot more frequently! I've been a PICU RN for 14 yrs, back then it was in the middle of a nursing shortage (HAH) and I was hired as a new grad!! I love what I do and even though I sometimes think about changing I can never think of something else I would want to do more. I have done mgmt but am back at the bedside. Would love to hear from anyone else. We are presently preparing for JCAHO, starting another training program and trying to staff with lots of short term travelors to fill in the gaps. A bit of a challenge considereing our acuity and census turnover.
Don't forget to take care of yourselves too!

[boomboom]

Originally posted by ICUkids:
Thanks Allnurses!! PICU is very specialized and I'm always finding myself trying to check off both boxes on surveys, ICU and Peds but it never really fits well. So I wrote Allnurses to ask if there could be a forum for PICU RN's and here it is in one day. Guess I'll have to check in alot more frequently! I've been a PICU RN for 14 yrs, back then it was in the middle of a nursing shortage (HAH) and I was hired as a new grad!! I love what I do and even though I sometimes think about changing I can never think of something else I would want to do more. I have done mgmt but am back at the bedside. Would love to hear from anyone else. We are presently preparing for JCAHO, starting another training program and trying to staff with lots of short term travelors to fill in the gaps. A bit of a challenge considereing our acuity and census turnover.
Don't forget to take care of yourselves too!

[boomboom]

i live in tampa, florida, right near all childrens..i have always wanted to work with kids. right now i work in a nursing home. is it harder to work with kids do you think? i think it would be very rewarding for me. any comments/suggestions for me????

[ICUkids]

Boomboom,
Check out the possibilities in your area. Do you have any acute care experience? Kids physiology is different than geriatric population. But motivation to learn always makes a difference. Good luck and let us know what you decide. With the nursing shortage now is the time if a person wants to change direction in career.
Diana

[haloangelrn]

I worked in PICU for 4 years and absolutely adored it. I have gone on to try other areas of nursing, but my true love remains PICU. There are no areas with in 50 miles of my home to practice PICU, or even peds. People always say that "it takes a special person to work with ___" fill in the blank. That is what nursing is all about. You have to love what you do to show up everyday and WANT to be a part. It can be just as rewarding to be involved in helping a family thru bereavement of a child as it is helping a family thru traumatic brain injury, severe asthmatic shock, and RSV. It refreshes your heart to see life thru the eyes of a child. It doesn't matter whether they are in overnight or for a long ventilator haul, with no end in sight. For me, this is what nursing is ALL about.

[Agnus]

Wow! you got PICU right out of school. That is what I want or NICU. But I don't stand a prayer in heaven, they simply don't hire new grads here into theses areas. I'm not saying that is not as it should be but I am jelous.

[karenelizabeth]

Angus never say never.

Get your face seen let the manager of where you want to work know its what you want. Write, ask your turor if a visit can be arranged or if you can have a placement in that area (not sure how things like that work in the US).

If you dont ask you dont get!!

I worked in general adults for 2 years before my job on NICU and wouldn't do it any differently if I could start again. But now I have my dream job (a nightmare at times as well)

If you dont ask you dont get!!

Go for it if thats what you rearly want

[ June 06, 2001: Message edited by: karenelizabeth ]

[CaduceusPRN]

One year ago, I was hired into a 20-bed PICU as a new grad. Four of us were hired the same day. Now, with a year's experience I feel as though I know 1000% more than I did then, but still have so much more to learn.
I find it frustrating to be expected to 'know how to do it' when I've done whatever it is perhaps one time before.
This week, we are having JCAHO and DHS. In other depts of the hospital, they have asked to be shown the least experienced nurse and then zoomed in for the kill. Seen the show 'The Weakest Link'?
I'm wondering how long it takes to really feel comfortable taking any assignment.
I love working in the PICU. Many people have asked 'How can you do it? You must be such a brave/special/caring/hard person to do it. I don't know - like my colleagues, this is what I do. I wouldn't fancy doing geriatrics, or psych.

[craff1]

Anyone in neo-natal icu willing to chat with me so I can add your feedback to my term paper? I'm a prenursing student and one of my assignments is to research and report about an area of nursing I may want to go into. I have taken kids from my afterschool program to the neo-natal ward for a tour and talk from the charge nurse about tobacco and birth weight, drugs, etc. It was a moving experience for all of us.
Any takers? Email me! Thanks.