Curious...any of you guys considering Peds/PICU/NICU?

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I am a NICU/PICU/Peds RN, and have been out of school for almost 2 years in the legendary "real world." I have had the chance to precept several guys in nursing school over the last year in PICU and NICU. I found that pretty much every one of them had never considered peds/picu/nicu as a unit they'd want to work in. After the day was over, several of them have commented that they actually might consider these highly specialized area... Personally I dragged through my pediatric classes and clinicals, swearing I'd never, ever do peds and torture kids and get paid to do it. I spent 3 DAYS in NICU during my senior practicum and LOVED it. It changed my whole view on peds. I now can't imaging caring for anyone over 17.

So tell me guys, would you every REALLY consider pediatrics, NICU, or PICU as a place you'd work after nursing school? What could I do as a preceptor to help you decide this?

Stephen

Specializes in Emergency.

i absolutely love pediatrics. i loved my clinicals in peds and am doing my internship at st. louis children's hospital emergency department. i am truly drawn to emergency peds.. .i may consider nicu or picu upon burn out...

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Specializes in Pulmonology/Critical Care, Internal Med.

Does it not also amaze you how freaking STRONG those little babies are. Blew my mind, I was waiting for one of those little babies to beat me up.

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Well I am a guy ;) ;) .......cute kitty

I'm still in school....*crosses fingers* waiting on december !!!! :)

I just finished psych nursing and just started mother/baby today.......

To be honest, I have no idea if this is going to be for me.....I am going to

try and keep an open mind but just don't know.....my first instinct is to say no....but let me try it first.....who knows...

personally, i think my interest lies more with the ER/CCU/Transport Nurse (a.k.a. "flight nurse" )

so to answer your question....am I considering Peds/PICU/NICU.....yes, but I have yet to make my decision....I'll update this in 8 weeks :)

later

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Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.

Thats exactly where i want to go if i go Hospital nursing route. I would love to do the NICU. If i end up working in a hoispital i hope to find employment in a childrens hospital.

nw

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I am a PICU nurse and proud of it. I career changed into nursing and had the chance to work on a PEDS floor as a nurse assistant during nursing school so I knew that PEDS was for me. Whats great about PICU is that its a type of critical care that allows you to cross over to adult ICU if you like. Kids are just better patients than adults, in my opinion. What I DONT like about peds is some of the reactions I get from people."Wow, how can you be around all of those sick kids, its so sad!". Yes, like I am a freak who likes seeing kids in pain? NOT. I just know that kids need help and I am equipped and qualified to do so. Sad that people are afraid of kids. But hey, more work for me! Gotta love the job security.

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If I had to work with kids I think I would, but I would never want to specialize with kids.

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Specializes in SICU/MICU and soon...CVRU.

I am in a peds rotation right now and cannot wait until it is over. I love children, I just have no desire to work with them. It is too sad to see them sick and hurt.

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Specializes in CICU.

I currently work in a Level III 45 bed NICU as a tech. I graduate in five weeks and will work in the same NICU as an RN. I am really interested in becoming a perinatal transport nurse.

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Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.

I'm currentyl waiting to see if ive been accepted to any of the two schools i applied at for the BSN fall 07 start here in Atl, Ga. I hope to apply for the nursing scholarships at Children's hospital of atlanta and then work for them after graduation. My goal would be to work in the NICU. I wanna work with da lil munchkins...:lol2:

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Specializes in Peds Rehab, Informatics.

Awww heck ya! I am pretty much dead set on working in Peds. I have always loved children and consider it one of my talents. Not everyone has the ability to speak to a child in terms that he/she can understand. I love the creativity in this area! I can't wait for my peds clinicals this summer. As far as specialization, I would like to eventually wind up in the PICU, as the technology aspect is very appealing to me.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, NICU, ER, PICU.

I have worked nothing but peds/NICU/PICU for the last 8 years and it is absolutelyyyyyyyy my calling. It is one of those things that is either for you or it just isn't...I don't think there is a gray area.

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I am definitely considering working in my local hospital's NICU post-NCLEX and have applied to their summer nurse externship program as a result. I have also begun volunteering in the NICU in their "Cuddler program," holding/comforting/feeding the babies. What would you recommend that I do to prepare myself further for a career in this field? I'd take any and all suggestions as I took a whole new perspective into the duties of a neonatal nurse away from your "day in the life of" excerpt. Thanks for that by the way.

Lastly, in your experience, what would set me apart from my counterparts when being interviewed for the extern position that I am seeking at the moment? I applied to Maternal-Child with my hope of acquiring the NICU position. Thanks in advance.

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