Adult Icu To Nicu??

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I have worked adult ICU for 6-7 years now and love the ICU environment. But have always wanted to work NICU. I am thinking of going to this new specialty through an internship program. Has anyone made the transition from adult to nicu and if so, how did it go.

Thanks to all.:thankya:

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Specializes in NICU.

A bunch of my coworkers came from various adult ICUs. After the initial culture shock and they finished orientation, they all did very very well. And none of them ever intends to go back to adult ICU!

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Specializes in Newborn ICU, Trauma ICU, Burn ICU, Peds.
A bunch of my coworkers came from various adult ICUs. After the initial culture shock and they finished orientation, they all did very very well. And none of them ever intends to go back to adult ICU!

I have found the same thing where I work as well. I did Peds and a little NICU before I went to adult ICU, and came back to NICU. I really enjoy it. Granted I am feeling like I am losing a lot of my critical care skills like Central lines, Swans, CVVH, and ventrics, but I have gained a whole lot, too.

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I did!

In a nutshell, the drug dosages are waaaay different! If you can imagine they are a lot smaller and a little hard to get used to at first.That and the vital signs. (A HR of 140 and BP of 40/29 are ok??!!!!!) :lol2:

And the majority of kids have pulmonary issues. Like faithmd said, I am loosing my arrythmia and EKG interpretation skills. You don't get to use them all that much. But hey, NRP is hella easier than ACLS, I'll tell ya that much!

Good luck!

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One of my coworkers just switched and he still does Adult prn so he keeps up his adult skills, but he is doing very well in the NICU.

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thanks to all who responded. Now to find a NICU to apply to in the DFW area. I have a few leads. Wish me luck...

:monkeydance:

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Specializes in Newborn ICU, Trauma ICU, Burn ICU, Peds.

You are lucky, Parkland has the largest NICU in the United States.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

We have many people that came from adult ICU's and they did really well...those critical thinking skills come in handy and they have great ideas about things to pass along!

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Specializes in Step-down and Critical Care.

I am glad I found a question about this because I have an interview tomorrow at a NICU that is very close to my house.

I have been in the adult ICU for the past 2 1/2 years and have always wanted to work NICU but the NICU I wanted to work out has not has any job posting for awhile and I just realized that this facility has two night position posted so I am hoping and praying that I get the position tomorrow..

I also plan on staying PRN at the hospital that I work at now just so that I can keep up with my adult skills also but honestly I think I will love NICU. I think having ICU experience helps and the transition of learning the smaller doses of medications and the parameters of vital signs will come with orientation and learning the process of the unit.

I am very excited to have this opportunity arise so everyone keep their fingers crossed...

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Transplant, Trauma, Surgical.

There is a nurse that I work with in NICU who floats between Adult ICU, L&D, and NICU. Whudda lady! Those units are quite different from eachother!

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Specializes in Med/Surg; Critical Care/ ED.

I just want to say thank you to all who replied to this! I am currently in adult ICU and planning on leaving for NICU. This gives me faith I can do it!

PHRN

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