ED RN looking to go to PICU

picurn10 · Feb 20, 2012

I have been working ER for a little over 4 years...I love it and I will always stay PRN there. My ultimate goal is to do Peds and Nicu critical care transport. I would like to find out how best to prepare to transition into the PICU. Also...how in the world do I find a good job in a supportive hospital that is willing to take time to teach and not just throw me to the wolves because I have 4 years of experience. Are there internships? Does anyone know of any hospitals that accept PICU RNs that have transferred from another unit.
Alicia

I think a good hospital will orient you well. A nurse in our unit is transferring to another hospital in a large city, and she's been in picu for a couple years and she's supposedly getting 12wks.

canadian_girl75 · Feb 20, 2012

I agree...a good PICU will give you at least a 12 week orientation. I went straight to CV-PICU from the emergency department about 5 years and had no problem finding work and a great orientation. Having experience should give you a head start as many PICU's are hiring New Grads to supplement staffing so I think given the emergency experience and the fact that it is all ages all diagnosis will also be a plus. I would look toward the bigger teaching centres as they usually have more money and opportunities for continuing education. A really big question for me would be what are the nurse to patient ratio's? Do they regularly pair vents? etc...etc..I have found several hospitals in the USA pair their vented kids ALWAYS not just once in a while its the norm not the exception...and it just isn't a safe practice...at least in my opinion...for what its worth! I have found that unionized hospitals tend to have better ratios as the union protects the nurses in terms of workloads etc...Most orientations consist of a a mix of classes, online learning, and patient care. I am a PICU traveller and I have not been to a place yet that didn't have some sort of orientation plan for new staff. And it is a learning curve...as kids tend to fall off cliffs instead of roll down hills in terms of crashing. And childhood illnesses are different as well as the bodies ability to heal etc...In any case I would change it for the world. I have loved PICU since the moment I started and can't imagine doing anything else! Good Luck to you...