advice requested= track to PICU

I went right into pediatrics after graduation, knew that was what I wanted when I applied for school, and had been inspired by some amazing nurses. I spent the first year in the float pool working on general peds care type floors. I think it was a bonus went I went to PICU, I had already had time to hone assessment and time management skills, and could focus on critical care specifics. I have never worked ED, but would think that would also be a great way to work on assessment skills, as well as IVs and lab draws, both of which I was no good at until after some time in PICU. I couldn't say which path is the right one for you. Follow your heart, and if it feels right, go for it, and never look back!

HI, i'm a new grad and I need to pick between the peds CICU and peds general floor. I'm thinking I might pick the peds general floor. Even though I want to do critical care, I feel that as a new grad the CICU will be way to stressful for me, but I don't know. What do you think? I need to choose today. Thanks!

Listen to your gut. If it's telling you you're not ready for peds CICU, then take the general peds job. You can always move to the CICU later. As has been said on other threads, the learning curve is very steep in the ICU and for many nurses it's better to develop your basic skills and get really good at organizing, prioritizing, assessing and the rest first then tackle the complexities of the ICU. Best of luck with your choice.

I am a new grad in peds stepdown ICU and it is the perfect spot for me. I had a hard time deciding between acute care and PICU, so it was great when I discovered stepdown. Just enough to keep me on my toes (or running, haha) and I feel like I am putting my nursing skills to good use- trachs, vents, kids that need constant monitoring. I may not have the drips and art lines of PICU, but honestly I dont know if I could even handle that yet as a new grad; Stepdown as a new grad was enough of a transistion for me. I am not yet confident enough in my skills to handle the sick kiddos in PICU yet didnt want to go to acute care, so stepdown is my home for now!

I have started in the PICU (12 weeks ago) as a spankin brand new nurse, I feel a little overwhelmed but I think I would anywhere really. I think it is good to "jump in" with fresh eyes and eager spirit. You will have days when you think you can conquer anything, then others where you feel you want to quit, but isn't that nursing in general? I was told by three very good nurse friends (many years exp.) to just go on and do what I love. Experiences will come. I was a CNA in Med/Surg for 3 years and all I ever saw was COPD and CP. I saw 1 NG placement in 3 years, what would I have learned? I am learning so much in PICU and getting to see and DO so much also. Go for it!

Hi Belot97,
you asked a question I can't answer, as I will only graduate in August of this year, but I hope you don't mind me asking you a question. You mentioned you're a traveler and just got back to the country. I am a traveler and went into nursing bc of the career's universal need, which would allow me to travel almost anywhere (so I thought). But I am having trouble getting straight answers about where it is easy to get a job in the world and how much/what kind of experience I should gain in the US first. Any suggestions/advice you could give would be really appreciated. Thanks!

I had 2 weird questions in an interview for a PICU job.

the first question was:

Give an example of an event or instance where you found that policy was inconvinient and you decided to not follow policy.

Ok, I get the essence of the question: I think its related to critical thinking and making autonomous/ patient specific decisions.
However, I couldnt really come up with anything specific to say, it really blocked me and I had to ask to skip it to come back to it. Perhaps this is because im fairly new to nursing (graduated last fall, started working 6 months ago). Us new grads we are always so adament to following policy and, in nursing like anything else in life, rules can be broken only after following them for some time.... no?

the second was:

Give an example of a time where you had to make a decision without consulting your nursing manager / charge nurse / facilitator...?

Ummm... I make most of my decisions in a day to day basis without consulting... I dont really know what the objective of this question was.

I dont think these were fair questions to ask a new grad (like me)...

any thoughts?