Pediatric vs Neonatal Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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To any Nurses,

I was wondering if you can share your experience with Pediatrics and/or Neonatal Nursing. I am currently a senior nursing student and really feel that my heart belongs to taking care of the young. I kind of want to get a better idea at what you guys think is more interesting/exciting to work. My pediatric instructor told us that M/S is not a requirement however it does look good but she said if you have a passion for a certain field that they would hire you so that you learn to do head to toe exams, assessments in their way.

I had my maternity clinical already I loved it only con was that my specific clinical couldn't get to see a NICU. I had my pediatric clinical I did enjoy it kind of wish I got to do a little more hands on. However, saw alot of variety such as PICU which I had the opportunity to see an LP on a neonate, PACU, Outpatient Clinics & the floor we were assigned to for pediatrics.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I really feel that my heart belongs to taking care of the young I know I got time out of college but the sooner I find a field the better.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

NICU has the disadvantage (to me anyway) of a very limited, narrow range of conditions. Prematurity (of course) being the primary one.

PICU, on the other hand, treats kids from birth through age 18, and every conceivable condition that might befall them - from illness, congenital heart defects, injury/ trauma , abuse and everything in between. I have done adult ICU, NICU and PICU, and PICU is seriously the most challenging thing I've done in my 38 years as a nurse.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I have been a Pediatric Nurse for nine years; I didn't know I was going to be a pediatric nurse when I left school, to be honest.

Most of my career I did Pediatric Private Duty, Pedi Extended day care and Post Acute Pediatrics; I dabbled in PICU and I am a Pedi ED nurse currently.

In Pedi Critical care, the onus is on having good critical thinking; including thinking out of the box, a keenness for monitoring and hone to deal with challenging cases and families, and a good sense of teamwork; I was able to home those skills in out of the hospital settings and those aspects were built upon.

Children compensate well-until they crump-so you are always looking out and anticipatory nursing is ideal.

Having good assessment skills are key in critical care as well; there are plenty of "hands on" skills; however I will say, the best part of the job is anticipating what the pt needs, thinking critically and investigating and understanding rationales, and education/teaching is a huge part and is fun as well-understanding the why behind the hands-on skills makes one a well-equipped nurse.

I have worked with neonates through adolescents and enjoy the variety; I have never worked solely with neonates and never had the desire to due to my penchant for variety.

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Specializes in Pedi.
NICU has the disadvantage (to me anyway) of a very limited, narrow range of conditions. Prematurity (of course) being the primary one.

PICU, on the other hand, treats kids from birth through age 18, and every conceivable condition that might befall them - from illness, congenital heart defects, injury/ trauma , abuse and everything in between. I have done adult ICU, NICU and PICU, and PICU is seriously the most challenging thing I've done in my 38 years as a nurse.

Do you really only see kids up until they turn 18 in your PICU? Because my pediatric hospital very routinely sees adults who have been treated there since childhood. I saw a 39 year old CFer last week. CF, spina bifida, congenital hearts, all those patients tend to stay in pediatrics FOREVER.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

There are other threads that cover this topic, and you might learn a lot if you were to look at them. PICU/PCICU nurses have the broadest scope of practice of all nurses. We literally see and do EVERYTHING. Some shifts are quiet where you have an assignment with stable kiddos and others you're running your butt off trying to keep up with the changes. Tonight I transferred one of my kiddos to the ward and my other one is sleeping soundly with BiPAP on, no infusions, the odd NJ med and tube feeds. All that could change in a heartbeat if we get an admission. So I'm taking advantage of the calm while I can.

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PICU you will see a broader range of disease processes and injuries as well as age ranges. Acute and chronic patients.

NICU patients are majority premature and the complications that are associated with prematurity.

I always recommend experience in a medical surgical floor type environment before entering critical care (my own opinion and experience).

Have you thought about a regular paediatric floor? Less intense then critical care, but you would be able to learn A LOT, develop your skills then transfer to PICU/NICU after 12 months.

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Finding any nursing job out of school is a challenge. Finding one specifically in peds or neonatal is even more of a challenge. Are you willing to relocate for a job and apply everywhere?

There are fewer peds jobs than adult ones, so getting hired takes more time and effort.

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hi I am a new grad and my passion is also peds. My dream is to one day be in the PICU. I am interested in the NICU as well but for the reasons that many of the nurses have listed above I think I would be much happier in a PICU. I did not get a position in peds right out of school but I will be starting on a intermediate care unit. I think it is for the best because I will learn a lot on this unit and will get a good foundation before I decide that I am ready to look for PICU positions.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Do you really only see kids up until they turn 18 in your PICU? Because my pediatric hospital very routinely sees adults who have been treated there since childhood. I saw a 39 year old CFer last week. CF, spina bifida, congenital hearts, all those patients tend to stay in pediatrics FOREVER.

The only patients over 18 we get are VA ECMO (rare from the adult side) and people in treatment continuation for childhood cancers. Other than that- you get booted to the adult side of the hospital. Which I think is good and bad depending on the developmental delay if any. Also, our adult side does trauma one down to age 15 and VADS to age 15. We do neither on the PICU side (but rumor has it that it's coming)

Case in point, we got two victims who had taken some type of tainted illegal something at the same party. We got the 17 year old, adult side got his best friend who was three weeks older and had turned 18.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

My experience - working in NICU threw me for a loop due to (what is now called) moral distress. I felt that it was unethical to subject teeny little super-preemies to all the 'stuff' that was done to them. Decisions were based on emotion with no thought to the very poor outcomes that were actually the 'best case scenario'. I saw families dissolve due to the emotional and financial stress. Nope, couldn't deal with it. I very gratefully scampered back to my adult ICU home base and never looked back. Of course, things are probably much different now - I hope.

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Specializes in ICU.
Of course, things are probably much different now - I hope.

I wish they were. The morbidity rates for our tiniest micros are just depressing (nationwide, not just at my facility).

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

I worked on a peds. floor at a community hospital. I saw all sorts of things; trauma, ortho, asthma, Type 1 diabetes, seizure disorders, etc. We had plenty of critically ill patients, and I went along on transport more times than I can remember to take kiddos to a hospital that had more intensive peds. services. I even had a patient (3 mo. old ?) who was ill with something that was not survivable (don't remember) and had to get the DNR, then help support the family as she died. I was able to pass the peds. certification exam after a year of being there.

I didn't have med-surg exp. when I took that job. I just happened to know the right person who hired me, so it can be done.

Oh, and LPs on infants? I assisted with bunches of them.

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