Graduating in May- IS THIS FROWNED UPON? Advice? Yes please!

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Hello all & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

That being said, this is the year I've been waiting for! I graduate in MAY with my BSN, yippeeeee

So here's my dilemma: I'm currently employed at a local Level III NICU in a Children's Hospital as a patient care tech. I was offered the job after I interned on the floor last summer. I basically take a team of feeder-growers and do all their cares minus the meds... Originally I've been in talks with management about applying for post grad opportunities... they seem interested in having me! The other staff have asked me here and there if I plan on working there after graduation, and I always answer with an enthusiastic "yes!" Okay... so back to the problem. I know this would be an incredible opportunity, but something is holding me back. Something in my gut is saying this just isn't "it". I'm hoping my final clinical "leadership" placement will be in the PICU (as I've requested... and have had doe-eyed dreams about). No, I have not yet had the opportunity to work in the PICU. Yes, I know it would be crazy hard work & that the learning curve rivals Everest. I KNOW I would be all in though!

If I choose to apply to another area, such as PICU, rather than only the NICU I'm currently employed at... would that be frowned upon by my current manager? In general, am I expected to tell each manager I'm applying with what other floors I'm interviewing for? Would that brand me as uncommitted???

I don't want to seem unappreciative (whatsoever), but is exploring opportunities at the risk of NOT being hired worth it? I just REAAALLLY want to :redbeathe my job after graduation and not feel ho-hum.

HR just sent out an email to scholarship students to start the application process now. I guess I'm just freaking out a little... no, A LOT. So, stay put since I'm most likely guaranteed the job? Or look around at the risk of not being hired elsewhere and looking like an uncommitted ding-dong to my current manager? Oh agony!

HEEEEELLLLLPP please. Thanks!!!!!

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Well, I'm a very conservative person. It increases with age. So I would stay with the known. But your managers would expect you to try out for all possibilities and should not look down upon you for trying out any offers, especially the first one for your first job. Any person who gets mulitiple offers has quite a decision to make and you should do what is best for you at the time, having considered all input.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Peds, Pediatraic Home Care, Infusion.

You need to interview with the nurse manager of the PICU. No one is going to hold that against you.

Just curious, have you been in the level lll? Have you been on high risk deliveries? Have you followed a NICU RN caring for a 22 or 23 week premie? ECMO? Infants on Jet Vents? High Frequency, or Oscillating Vents? Followed a NICU RN to surgery? Have you watched the codes in progress? Sometimes more then one is happening in the unit at once. Have you seen the NICU RNs provide care during a code? Have you watched them when a critical infant arrives from the delivery room?

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You need to interview with the nurse manager of the PICU. No one is going to hold that against you.

Just curious, have you been in the level lll? Have you been on high risk deliveries? Have you followed a NICU RN caring for a 22 or 23 week premie? ECMO? Infants on Jet Vents? High Frequency, or Oscillating Vents? Followed a NICU RN to surgery? Have you watched the codes in progress? Sometimes more then one is happening in the unit at once. Have you seen the NICU RNs provide care during a code? Have you watched them when a critical infant arrives from the delivery room?

Thanks for your reply... you've got my gears turning! I'm working in the Level III NICU, but I can see where you're going with your questioning: I have not been involved with many of the scenarios you mentioned.

No high risk deliveries.

Questioned a nurse with a 24 weeker, not followed.

Drilled the ECMO RN in action... completely fascinating.

YES to all of the vents.

No follows to surgery... just looked on through patient room doors while more procedural surgeries are performed (PDA ligations)... can never see anyway :crying2:

Not seen a code.

Watched a little one taken off the vent for the first time just last week. Hated that for the family. BUT got to discharge a pt that same day... and they wanted pics with me! (a first) :heartbeat

Just a bystander when high risk comes through from L/D

I guess AT BEST I've seen 5% of what rolls through the NICU doors. For me, the allure of the PICU is infants AND big kiddos... and all the in between!! Something completely different everyday?.. terrifying & challenging. The variety, I think is what's drawing me in... even though I've never worked in a PICU for more than 12 hrs (clinical rotation). Weird ;)

ANYWAY~~~ THANK YOU for your questions!!! I wont be so quick to think I'll be locked into feeder-growerville forever post grad. Even though there is zero wrong with getting a paycheck for nippling a 3.5 pounder and being uber proud of them for finishing a full feed for the first time. The little things -no pun intended- matter too!

Warmest regards!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Peds, Pediatraic Home Care, Infusion.

The PICU is a wonderful unit. The PICU nurses usually do not want to be in the NICU and are not NICU nurses.

The NICU nurses usually are not interested in working in or being a PICU nurse.

I worked in a unit my first year that supported the PICU and they supported us. It was a great relationship with respect for each other. I did not want to be a PICU nurse.

After many years I took a position floating between PICU, NICU and Peds. A PICU nurse is not a NICU nurse and it goes the other way too.

If you are attracted to the PICU then you need to follow your heart. If you work the unit you love you will be a great nurse.

I have worked PICU's where NICU new grads ended up after discharge and can tell you that sometimes it was a sad experience for that little NICU grad because some PICU nurses just do not have the experience to be caring for a fragile tiny one. SAD

I have seen the blood and gore from the MVAs, the gun shot victims, the broken from a family member's anger, the little one burned by "someone", now wrapped like a mummy, the drug overdose, the alcohol intox, and on and on. The PICU is a special unit and takes a special person.

The NICU is a special unit and takes a special person. Each requires specific training and preparation. Both are full of challenge.

Follow you heart.

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Desertwind,

Thanks again for your insight! I'm now planning on interviewing with the PICU. I'll find my niche eventually :D I guess there really is no better advice than "follow your heart"...

I'll do just that.

Best, NikkiJ

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Peds, Pediatraic Home Care, Infusion.

Good for you, NikkiJ, finding the right area of nursing is the whole story. You want to love your work or you become one of those awful nurses we hate to work with who hate there JOB.

I spent eleven months my first year as a RN working in a unit I did not plan to stay with. And I knew the NICU was where I would go to stay-------long story-----but the point is that I wasted eleven months of experience that I could have gained in the unit I love. Just a waste of my precious time. And a long eleven months-----------

I think you are a PICU nurse so go be one. :- )

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