I am a NICU/PICU/Peds RN, and have been out of school for almost 2 years in the legendary "real world." I have had the chance to precept several guys in nursing school over the last year in PICU and NICU. I found that pretty much every one of them had never considered peds/picu/nicu as a unit they'd want to work in. After the day was over, several of them have commented that they actually might consider these highly specialized area... Personally I dragged through my pediatric classes and clinicals, swearing I'd never, ever do peds and torture kids and get paid to do it. I spent 3 DAYS in NICU during my senior practicum and LOVED it. It changed my whole view on peds. I now can't imaging caring for anyone over 17.
So tell me guys, would you every REALLY consider pediatrics, NICU, or PICU as a place you'd work after nursing school? What could I do as a preceptor to help you decide this?
I'm still in school, but i have been way interested in peds. There is something about working with kids that i love. I think a lot of it is my little niece has turners syndrome. she has been in and out of the hospital her whole life. She was sent one time to primary childrens medical center here in utah, and the nurses that worked there where so impressive, they really knew there stuff, and they where so caring to the sick children all around. It actually kind of inspired me to go into nursing.
In the OR, make friends with the anesthesiologist/CRNA, and you can have a birds-eye view of what's going on, as well as get to see the anesthesia side of it.
Peds: Be cool. Play, have fun. Sick kids are still kids. Study developmental levels ahead of time so you can interact with all age groups. This is one thing from nursing theory that I actually used, and made sense after I graduated.
My first born was at Childrens with a heart defect. He was 3 days old when he had his first open heart. There was this male nurse that looked just like a biker. He was tall, heavier set, long hair.. you get the picture. I was afraid he would crush my tiny newborn! I couldn't have been more wrong. He was the most gentle, kind, and compassionate nurse I had ever met. He was always calm, even when they pulled my sons RA line which snagged in his heart and he started bleeding out! He would reposition my newborn and watch his sats and decide Trevor (my son) didn't like laying on that side today. He would calmly reposition him. I was a CNA at the time but this was my baby. I learned how to be calm and perform well with not only my patients, but also my children. I will never forget that wonderful angel that cared for my son in the PICU (all cardiac post surgs went to PICU instead of NICU, until they were weaned off the many pumps). For all of you guys out there that are interested, Go For It! You'll make a difference in more than one life.
Hi guys! I'm in nursing school in NC right now in an ADN program. I haven't had me peds rotation yet, but I am looking forward to it next semester. I just really love kids and have been thinking about PICU or NICU. Hopefully I'll get to have a rotation in both. Right now I am a CNA and I applied for a job at the PICU at Pitt County Memorial Hospital here in town.
Does anyone know a description of what CNAs do in a PICU setting?
I will sit for the boards soon and I am definately applying for NICU positions. I love working with children. The smaller the better. I was sold when I saw how small neonate's diapers are.
peds is my dream! either picu or oncology/hematology. its hard to get info on how to get into it though. If anyone has any advice please send it my way. i am a second year adn-grad 2009
So tell me guys, would you every REALLY consider pediatrics, NICU, or PICU as a place you'd work after nursing school?
Actually i would love to work in the NICU after graduation but i'm kinda of scared. I graduate in may and i work on L&D as a clerk so i might stay on L&D after graduation, but NICU is a passion for me so i hope i do get the courage to work there after alittle experience.
I loved my experience in the NICU and nursery. During our OB rotation, I was always volunteering to go to the nursery. Given the chance, I would absolutely got to NICU or the nursery.
Peds? I'll tell you in two weeks, we begin our Peds rotation next week.
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mac20
6 Posts
I'm still in school, but i have been way interested in peds. There is something about working with kids that i love. I think a lot of it is my little niece has turners syndrome. she has been in and out of the hospital her whole life. She was sent one time to primary childrens medical center here in utah, and the nurses that worked there where so impressive, they really knew there stuff, and they where so caring to the sick children all around. It actually kind of inspired me to go into nursing.