Oh Goosh

[EXOTIC NURSE, RN]

I am transferring from the PICU to NICU as that was my first choice. I am hoping they have a position available for me to start I am also hoping that NICU will be better for my focus and learning. PICU was to broad and I could not focus to well so I was recommended to transfer to the NICU so I Could focus on the neonates and their complications master the care of them and get the ICU feel then progress over to the PICU at a later date.....I would like some feedback on this issue please

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

What kind of NICU is it? Will you see patients from all over or just those born at your facility? Will they do surgeries there?

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

I think I would have a hard time transitioning from PICU to NICU. They are two way different worlds. Neonates and pediatrics differ a lot. Codes are very different, they have totally different pathophys. I hope you do well...and maybe you'll decide to stay!! :)

[kids]

Best wishes in moving to NICU, I know from the kids I work with that the babies are different from the toddlers from the preschoolers (on up to teens).

BTW...I got notice last week that my application for the 1 year NICU residency program at OHSU starting in March passed the first 2 rounds (crossing fingers).

[EXOTIC NURSE, RN]

kids r fun....congrats to ya and thank you very much for you wishes and NicuGal.......dawn gloves.....yes they have ECMO on the unit but I did not see any open heart surgeries at the time but I know they are performed but the babies are usually transported over to the PICU. I worked in the PICU for about 5 weeks then I transferred to the NICU so the I have not even developed a feel for anything as yet.....I am also to a new grad. Thank you for responding to my post........

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't worry abour transition too much since you have not been "spoiled " by your short stint in the PICU. Hopefully you have developed a sense of urgency and priority while working in an IU setting. Very detrimental. I would just surrender to the fact that I am at square one. That's what I did when I started NICU, regardless of the fact that I had 5 years of nursing adults under my belt. Good luck!

[nell]

Good luck EXOTIC NURSE, I'll bet you do well, especially since NICU was your first choice. It sounds like your NICU is very high-level, but there still will be a more narrow patient profile than that found in your PICU.

Personally, I do fine in NICU but there's just too much "stuff" in PICU for my tastes.

Good luck to you too, kids-r-fun. May you not get "the preceptor from H*ll" that I had during my short term at OHSU!

[EXOTIC NURSE, RN]

thanks nell....I found out that i got the transfer approved. I will start on Dec 31 on the unit. I am very excited but I feel more excited about it than I did for the PICU. I had the preceptor from hell as well she was mean and snarly. I hope my new preceptor is not like that. Yes our NICU is high level and high tech we have 60 beds in our NICU which to me is a lot, I am looking forward to working in the NICU and I know I can be a good nurse and be very beneficial to my lil patients and their families.