Calling all PICU and/or NICU Nurses

[auson16]

Hello,

I am senior BSN student, and I will graduate in May 2016.

I am currently preparing to being my senior practicum after Spring Break. I originally requested the NICU, but because of all resources currently being directed to newly hired employees, I was not able to get in.

I spent 3 weeks working in the NICU alongside an RN preceptor this summer, which is why I know that I love the NICU. I have not yet spent any time whatsoever in the PICU, which was my second choice for my practicum after the NICU, so I most likely will end up there. I just have no idea what to expect. I could potentially love it just as much or more!

Can any PICU nurses or NICU nurses who have been PICU or vice versa give me some idea of what to expect? Which unit did you prefer between the two? What are the major differences (other than the obvious patient population difference)? Any advice?

[jpicurn]

Hello! I am a current PICU nurse, and it is a specialty that is unlike most others...we can see everything from a newborn to an 18 year old in a given shift, and it can be non critical kids (asthma with continuous treatments, doing ok) to severely critical kids (trauma, intubated, multiple drips) and of course, lots of families and visitors to contend with. Our assignments can be one patient to two or three, depending on acuity.

The NICU has it's own atmosphere and types of patients and they also have parents, visitors, and anxious family members to deal with, and they can have one baby assignments or multiple stable infants (feeders and growers) within a shift.

I think brushing up on basic peds information and having a baseline of vitals for given ages would be helpful. Knowing some of the basic lab values would be helpful to know, as well as the basic pediatric medications that are given within each setting and safe doses. Shadowing nurses and having questions is useful.

Good luck and check back to let us know if you like it! :)

[auson16]

Thank you for your help! I am so looking forward to learning a lot in the PICU and just getting familiar with the environment (if I get in, that is)! Thanks again!