Career Switch PICU to Step down Adult ICU

Published May 3, 2013

331 Posts

Specializes in Peds ED, Peds Stem Cell Transplant, Peds.

I have an interview soon. It is for a stepdown adult ICU. When I applied it said immediate care center, and I know they just opened an immediate care (Urgent Care) by my house so I thought is what I was applying for since the job description was vague. Well when I got a call from the HR for an interview I was thrown off a little about what they called immediate care. Their step down ICU is the immediate care. Since this hospital is miles closer, I really don't have a problem with working with adults (except they have bigger poop and puke). I still wanted to interview.

My experience is 8 years of Peds ER with most be in a level 1 trauma center. PICU, BMT step down cv for peds and 1 year adult Med Surg.

What should I expect the nurse to patient ratio to be? This is actually a step between ICU and regular Tele. Since it has been many years since I have taken care of adults what advice on drugs should I know? I do have ACLS and I am not great with identifying rhythms but better then I ever have. I do understand how to treat them.

Any suggestions would be great. One of the reason's I am considering this, is because there is not much Peds near me, I am tired of the long drive. I love ER but it is hard to get someone to consider me since I have little adult experience. Even though I have worked in a Peds level 1 trauma, and I have CPR,PALS,ACLS,TNCC,ENPC. With all that just teaching me the adult part shouldn't be too hard, should it?