Children's Hospital ICU's

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Hi all!

I am just trying to get some general info about the ICU's at Children's Hospital. I am currently a New Grad from Massachusetts & I relocated to DC to work in their Children's Hospital NICU, I relocated due to the sheer lack of opportunities in Massachusetts. My plans are to stay here for 2-3 years & then maybe travel a little. I do plan to eventually end up back at home in Boston & work in the hospital I've always dreamed of working in, Children's. I tend to stalk the children's website looking for any information about the units that is available but there isn't much on that kind of thing. I was just wondering what the ICU's are like. I am currently in the NICU but we cross train to CICU and PICU and I'm not sure I'll stick with NICU forever. Are the units "open" units or are they private rooms? Is there a central nursing station or are they decentralized? How long of an orientation is given to experienced nurses? I know there are other NICU's in the area, what types of patients does your NICU see most? The nicu I am in is the only surgical nicu in the area, we also do cooling, ecmo & CVVH so I will have experience in those areas. Our CICU is also going to be starting transplants within the next year so hopefully I will get some experience there too. Any info is appreciated, I am just nosy! :lol2:

Thanks!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

The main ICU is really nice. All the rooms are private, with the sliding glass doors. I believe there was one nursing station at each end of the unit - I only walked through once or twice helping to move one of my patients and their family and belonging into a room up there.

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thanks for the info! :-)

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Specializes in pediatric.

Yes, the ICU's are very very nice.

there are a couple. 7 south is a med/surg ICU with maybe 34 (??) or so beds, again all with private rooms and sliding glass doors. many times that I have walked through the unit there have been bedside surgerys being done. (pretty cool!) 11 south is a bit of an overflow ICU unit with 12 (??) beds. Though they dont have the capability to do ECMO. Then there is a step down unit (ICP-intermediate care program) that has 10 beds. Kids go to the ICP if they arn't really ICU kids but not quite ready for the floor. 2:1 RN-patient ratio. Then there is the CICU which I dont know much about. But yea, thats all I know. =) good luck.

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Thanks! That's great info. Anyone have any info on the NICU??

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

We get most of our kids from the various ICUs at Children's. Last I knew the NICU officially has 25 beds, ECMO capable, does surgery, everything but open heart...those kids go to the CICU. They have various vents and oscillators. They see the sickest of the sick and transport air and ground regionally. There's a transport team but nurses can be called for transport. Let me know if you need to know anything else. I'm pretty sure of my info but anyone with more current knowledge feel free to add!

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Thank you! It sounds very similar to the children's hospital I'm at now, just a little smaller. Hopefully I'll get to check it out in a year or two and eventually end up there! :-)

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Thank you! It sounds very similar to the children's hospital I'm at now, just a little smaller. Hopefully I'll get to check it out in a year or two and eventually end up there! :-)

I noticed that you work in the NICU at Children's in DC. I am trying to work there as well. Can you tell me about the unit, the scheduling, and the orientation process. Thank you

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