CHS in Charlotte: PICU

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Specializes in PICU, Pediatric Cardiac.

Any travelers worked here. Need the scoop on orientation, any testing (BKAT/PBDS) required, how are travelers treated, scheduling, etc.

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I was a staff nurse there until February when I left to go traveling. I don't know what orientation is specifically given, but I know they don't do PBDS or the like. The Children's Hospital is brand new and just opened in November. The staff is very friendly and welcoming to travelers. The unit is a semi-combined CVICU/PICU, so find out if you would be required to work both if that bothers you. I know that when I left, several travelers had just resigned and a couple others went staff on the CVICU side. It has its flaws like every other place, but it is not a bad place to work at all and I'll go back there when I am done traveling. Feel free to contact me with any other questions. Lisa

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Specializes in PICU, Pediatric Cardiac.

Thanks for getting back to me. Were the assignments given fairly or were the travelers given the chronics (GT vented trach patients?) Were travelers allowed to take CVICU patients (new post-ops) or allowed to take the complicated, sick patients? How many beds does the unit have?

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The travelers were treated fairly- there is a lot of new-grad staff in the PICU, so travelers have more experience than a lot of the staff. That being said, they don't get too much chronic trach GT stuff, it happens, but not enough that you'll get stuck just doing that. Generally, these patients are either rotated so people don't burn out on taking care of them, or given to the less experienced staff. It is a 20 bed unit with about half CVICU and half PICU, though that is not fixed, and it changes from day to day based on census.

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Specializes in PICU, Pediatric Cardiac.

Thanks for letting me know: greatly appreciate it. What's the area like during the summer? Lots of Nascar fans around?:D:D

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The area is HOT in the summer. And humid. If you stay in Charlotte proper, you won't see too many Nascar or other rednecks (except for your trauma families at the hospital). Get outside the city 30 miles and it is different story. Charlotte itself is mostly people from everywher else, especially the NE. You'll only meet a few people who are actually from NC and fewer who are from Charlotte.

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Specializes in PICU, Pediatric Cardiac.

Sent you a PM!

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