Am I a qualified applicant?

[MBrickle]

Hello all,

I am a new grad who recently began working in pediatric home health. I truly love working with children and have always had the goal of working in an ICU as I enjoy a challenge, work well under pressure, and feel that I would do better with fewer critically ill patients as opposed to many patients on a med/surg unit.

Currently, my cases include two children with trachs (lots of suctioning,) a child on a ventilator, G-tube experience, med administration, CPT and cough assist, nebs, oxygen titration, and wound care management, etc.

I plan to become certified in ACLS and PALS in the coming year.

My question is this: Will this experience provide me with a skill-set that will help me to become employed in a PICU? I understand that I will have no IV experience, but am hoping with such high-level skills, that I may still have the possibility of becoming employed in a PICU once I am ready to transition from home care.

Any advice or suggestions are welcome.

Thank you!

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

What you're doing in home health right now is very similar to a lot of what you'd be doing in PICU, only on a less acute scale. Artificial airway management, ventilators, O2 therapy, tube feeds, chest physio, nebs, wound management... all of those are commonplace in PICU. The IV skills come back fairly quickly, although complex fluid management is a steeper hill to climb. ACLS won't really do a whole lot fo you, but PALS definitely will. I also think that having worked in peds home health with the sort of patients you have will be a huge asset for you in PICU because of the family-centered aspect of what you're doing now, and the understanding you have for positioning, oral care and skin care. I don't expect you to have much trouble making the transition.

[anon456, BSN, RN]

I am a new grad who was just hired in PICU and am going through my preceptorship. When I was interviewed and now in my preceptorship, there is/was an emphasis on critical thinking. What is going on with this patient? What are my goals for them on my shift and what are their long term goals? What changes in them do I need to be looking out for that may indicate a decline? The biggies we monitor constanly are neuro, blood pressures, O2 and CO2, and temp.

It sounds like you are well on your way with your skills!