CMC Dallas and CHOA-Egleston

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Specializes in ECMO.

any comments or thoughts on the PICUs at these hospitals?

anyone currently working at either of these places?

good experiences or bad ones, anything would be appreciated.

comments on other areas of the hospitals would great as well.

im looking at doing my RT specialty internship at one of these hospitals next summer and i'd like to get a better feel for either one of them, especially the PICUs.

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Specializes in ECMO.

bump...

anybody?

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I am not familiar with CHOA-Egleston, but I am somewhat familiar with CMC Dallas. I don't work there, but I've known nurses that have. CMC Dallas has a very large PICU and as far as I know it's divided up into Trauma/Neuro, Cardio, Neonatal, and General Medical. They are a Level 1 center so they see everything. You would get a great experience there.

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I worked at CMC Dallas while in nursing school and afterwards in their ED and PICU. At that time, 6 years ago, the PICU had very high acuity and they had just opened the Trauma and CV ICUs. If that's still the trend, I would think that it'd make an excellent clinical site.

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Specializes in Medical and Neuro Intermediate Units.

Hi,

I got accepted into the Summer Nurse Extern program at CMC Dallas in the PICU/Surgical Trauma department.

Did anyone get the opportunity to see what the externs got to do? Is this a good department to learn in? How does the PICU/ Surgical Trauma department differ from the PICU? Hopefully that's not a silly question. Any information you could provide me with would be great!

Thank you!

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.
Hi,

I got accepted into the Summer Nurse Extern program at CMC Dallas in the PICU/Surgical Trauma department.

Did anyone get the opportunity to see what the externs got to do? Is this a good department to learn in? How does the PICU/ Surgical Trauma department differ from the PICU? Hopefully that's not a silly question. Any information you could provide me with would be great!

Thank you!

The Surgical Trauma ICU deals with patients we get who have been traumatically injured due to MVA or other accident (fall from height, diving accidents, ATV accidents, non accidental trauma, et cetera.

During this time you will be taught the "Children's" way of doing things, you will be able to see what critical care nurses do on a daily basis and work alongside them to care for the kiddos. Any opportunities you have to learn in the PICU, I advise you to take advantage of them. They have grand rounds every month that present a different topic and the effect on the peds population - it's an excellent learning opportunity. The experience you will gain will depend on many factors, your willingness to learn being the most important one. You will be able to start IVs after demonstrating proficiency, change dressings (CL, CT, PICC line, ostomy), you will get the opportunity to practice your assesments and learn the finer points of critical care.

Best of luck with your position.

vamedic4

One to one tonight

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Specializes in Medical and Neuro Intermediate Units.

Hello vamedic4,

Thank you so much for your response! I am so so excited. And I am eager to learn! I will definitely take advantage of any and all opportunities.

Wow, Nurse Externs get to start IVs?

So, just to be clear, the Surgical Trauma ICU is a subsection of the PICU? That's how I interpreted it. I should probably start reviewing my Pedi Neuro notes from lecture!

Thanks again,

Sarah

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

Yes, the pedi trauma ICU is part of the PICU. We have three floors dedicated to critical care peds. Yep, you'll get to do IVs too. And yeah, it never hurts to review your notes. Welcome!

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Specializes in Medical and Neuro Intermediate Units.

Hi again,

That made my day! I'm super excited. Now I will also review dressing changes as well. And, will research starting IVs! :D I hope you have a good week!

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Specializes in LTC.

CHOA has a pretty large PICU and cardiac unit as well. I haven't worked there but had a child there for a good bit of time several times. I think the staff are excellent. I know that doesn't help much but it's an excellent place to be patient wise and seemed like a great place to work...the nurses there and my child are what inspired me to become a nurse~

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