From PICU to Adult ICU

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Mar 29, 2014

It's probably easier to go from peds to adults in this case. Less to remember! Peds has about the broadest scope of practice there is - we look after people who may be minutes old, all the way into adulthood, with all the variation that comes with that turf. If a person can recall all of the vast number of common pediatric illnesses and all the vast number of variations in vital signs, drug doses and developmental considerations, they can manage the much narrower range in adults. The biggest transition will be going from a world where most of the illnesses are from circumstances outside the patient's control to a world where lifestyle choices are the main underlying condition.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2014

I agree it is probably easier to go from a PICU to and adult ICU.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2014

I'm a junior in high school and I'm thinking about being a pediatric icu nurse for a couple of years then be a adult critical care nurse. Will I be able to make that transition? Is it a bad transition? I really am interested in becoming a nurse when the day comes. Please give me some advice I would really appreciate it.

I did pediatric floor nursing and then transitioned to the adult world. My biggest weak point has always been cardiac cause peds and adult cardiac and like night and day.

That being said, you may not want to leave PICU. I find myself missing peds sometimes even now (especially with non-compliant chronic pts that seem clueless why they are on dialysis, have amputations, etc).

futurenurseLisa · Mar 29, 2014

How come you just don't go back to peds if you miss it sometimes?

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2014

How come you just don't go back to peds if you miss it sometimes?

I don't like the pediatric hospitals in my area. When I move back to my hometown I have strongly considered getting a job at my old pediatric hospital

HazelLPN, LPN · Apr 5, 2014

I did adult ICU (later MICU) nursing for 30 + years before I transitioned into PICU and NICU. Adult ICU is very hard on your body, but when one is young one doesn't think of such things. You don't see many adult ICU nurses who work into their late 50s. During my later years in the MICU I was physically and mentally burned out. Many of the patients that I cared for had chronic illness and I felt like I was prolonging life but doing nothing to help the quality of life, all at the same time killing my knees and back. When I had the opportunity to do PICU, I jumped at the chance. I felt like a brand new nurse....but I loved it. Kids are really tough compared to most adults. If felt like I was helping again, which I why I became a nurse in the first place.

I am completely retired from nursing now. I often have dreams that I am still working. I'm still the age I am now but my body is able to do what I did fifteen/twenty years ago. They are happy dreams....and I'm almost always working in the PICU.

If you are only a jr in high school, I wouldn't worry about what kind of nursing you wish to do. You'll figure it out when you get there. Many hospitals accept teenage volunteers....maybe check out your local hospital to see if they have such programs.

Best to you,

Mrs H.