Can the PICU ever be fun?

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · May 25, 2011

Of course there are lighthearted moments in PICU. The kids aren't sedated and oblivious for their whole stays, otherwise they'd never be able to leave. And trust me, far more get better and leave than don't. The preschool kids and the teenagers seem to provide most of our giggles. I had one boy ask me, "If I promise not to barf, can I have some juice?" One of our long-stay patients is well known for having a prefilled syringe hiding under her bedding that she sprays the RTs with when they come by the bedside. And another little guy "surfs" on his mother's legs and waves to everybody who walks by his room. It's definitely not all doom and gloom!

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · May 25, 2011

I love these stories!

I spent only 3 days in PICU during school, and except for one kid who was post-op after a tonsillectomy, the other kids were pretty sick. There did seem to be kind of a hushed, serious atmosphere, while the regular peds was much more fun -- the kids were more likely to be able to go to the playroom or get wheeled around the ward in a wagon.

TinyHineyRN · May 28, 2011

It can DEFINITELY be fun!! The other day, I got to cuddle the sweetest little 2 week old baby boy. Cuddle time is something I miss a lot from working on the peds floor so when there is a baby that is able to be cuddled, we ALL take advantage! Little guy and I took a walk around the unit since he had not been out of his room in a while!

travelgurl18 · May 31, 2011

I work as a CNA in the PICU at it can be sad at times, but the majority of the time isn't. I love holding the babies, cuddling, or keeping the kids company when I can. They might not all be able to go to the playroom but its definatly not a somber enviorment. And you learn to laugh and have fun despite having so many critically ill patients.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · May 31, 2011

I meant to post this yesterday... I worked a night shift the other night and had the pleasure of being next to one of our frequent visitors, a toddler with a trach who came in with a respiratory illness. This child is bright, engaging, a born entertainer and cute as a button. The evening was spent listening to pop music (Lady Gaga, the Spice Girls, Black Eyed Peas!) and "dancing" on the bed, smiling up a storm at anyone who came by to say hi... the list was long and distinguished! There was so much going on in the rest of the unit that there was not even a feeble attempt at going to sleep until somewhere around midnight. I asked quite a few times if there was going to be any sleeping done and got a huge grin and a head shake "NO" every time. It made such a nice change from the usual!

TinyHineyRN · Jun 1, 2011

Love it! Yesterday I took the most adorable 2 month old with old and new SDHs for a skeletal survey. While waiting for the radiologist to OK our films, I had the most major cuddle session! It was fabulous! He nuzzled his little head right into my shoulder and fell asleep. Our PICU census has been pretty low lately and our acuity hasn't been very high either so that was a fun way to spend an afternoon!

PediNurse3 · Jul 14, 2011

It can be fun, but (for me) the sadness far outweighs the happy/not so heavy times in the unit. It's just too sad for me.