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I'm deciding between a PICU and mixed adult ICU position. I feel like my heart is in the PICU -- a really incredible environment, the smartest and kindest care providers I have met. I loved it.
I'm worried about not being able to handle it entering already a mother, however. Will it make me paranoid about my own children? Will it break me?
I thought pretty hard about PICU/parenthood before even applying for this position. Reading that so many of the children recover and go home makes me feel as if it is possible to center things on that -- all the lives being saved. Adult ICU is not a happy place. Overall, kids often seem to recover amazingly well.
I already feel extra fortunate for my healthy children after the small amount of time I have spent in the PICU -- there are of course a fair number of children with congenital issues or prematurity that have predisposed them to illness. I think I'm okay there. Its those children who were typically developing then suddenly became this ill, will they leave me constantly devastated/terrified? How do I know without taking this position?
For any who entered already a parent, how was the transition? Do people do ok?
Thank you again. I agree, I won't know until I try, and I do think I will always wonder if I don't take the position.
I guess I'm nervous because the other program that I'm passing up is (also) a pretty incredible academic opportunity. Very likely a one time offer... and this PICU is a children's only facility, so there isn't an internal transfer to adults or something totally different. I'll be there for at least a couple of years, though I assume I could move down in acuity if I needed to do so.
I think I'm going to follow my heart and go for it. The other option is really just acting out of fear -- not a great way to make a choice.
I appreciate your thoughts. :)
I have been a pediatric/PICU RN for my entire career. By the time I graduated nursing school (as a single mom with 3 kids), I knew I wanted to be in pediatrics, I worked with adults for 5 years as a CNA and nurse tech and had decided it wasn't for me. Working with children has been the best decision I have ever made. I worked 2 years in a pediatric doctors office, then 3 years on a pediatric floor. The last 15 years I have worked strictly PICU, and it has proven to be my niche in nursing. I admit I am an adrenaline junkie and working in trauma hospitals is where I am happiest. That may sound cold but as a mother and now grandmother I believe it has given me a way to connect with families in the good times and bad. Working PICU is not only caring for critically ill or injured children but helping there families through the entire admission and sometimes the grieving process, both the loss of a child or the loss of the healthy normal child that they had. I have seen nurses with and without children either flourish or decide to move to new areas, go with your gut. If you felt at home in the PICU during school go for it, follow your heart. If you decide it's not for you, you will have gained an incredible experience that will ad to your nursing career. Good luck in your career.
Many years ago when I was a very young nurse, I thought I would do peds forever. Then I became a mother. I found peds/onc particularly difficult. It was at that point that I made a move out of peds. I think it is reasonable to follow your heart. However, if it becomes too stressful be willing to move away. There are so many opportunities in nursing that there is no reason to stay in a unit that isn't a good fit. I just took the incredible learning opportunities on to the next job and never considered myself a failure.
I completely understand. I'm a mom to a 3 year old and as a mom I have anxiety about accidents, drowning etc.
But I am very drawn to Peds - NICU, PICU, surgery, oncology... I could see myself being happy in any of those areas in our children's hospital.
I just applied to a PICU position.
We'll see if anything materializes.
Just curious - what did you decide and how is it going if you're in PICU?
Hoosier_RN, MSN
3,968 Posts
Most facilities require a 6 month to 1 year commitment before allowing a switch. Varies by facility. Ask. Also, some will allow switch if not working out and affecting work environment. Or, perhaps may need to find new job at another location if not working out or you don't get a transfer. I still say go with your heart, or you'll always wonder 'what if?'