Heart Baby Daddy needs advice

[wecan11]

Hi Friends,

I am a semi-new LPN working as Priv duty nurse, Ped's. My question is I'm interested in PICU nursing but don't know if I've got what it takes. During my PN clinicals I thought I could see myself doing PICU work but now I feel different. I have a 2 yr old daughter born w/ a serious heart defect. We learned to care for her, doing assessments all the time, nebulizer tx's, med's O2 tx's, pretty much what a Private duty nurse would do. I get really teared up when I read other articles here about PICU work. It's one thing to care for your own child, a whole different deal caring for somebody else's baby. I would lover to hear from anybody that has some advice.

Thank You!!

[prmenrs, RN]

In your current situation, working in a PICU might be too close to your own situation for comfort. Additionally, many ICU positions are only open to RNs, so you would need to go back to school.

My suggestion is to work on your RN first, then decide what to do with it based on what's available in the job market @ that time.

We wish you the best in any case.

[rn/writer, RN]

My situation is not exactly the same, but there is a parallel I'd like to share.

I was a psych nurse who frequently worked with kids and adolescents. We also had adopted a child with serious psych issues. As his needs intensified, I found myself feeling like my head was going to explode. With psych being the common denominator at home and at work, there was just no getting away from the stress.

I think I would have had an easier time of it had I worked in a different specialty. But because there was never any let-up, I had to actually take a break from the job until a crisis period with our child had passed.

When I resumed working, I chose an entirely different area and the changed environment and new learning helped me feel much better.

I wonder if you might experience something similar with the intensity present in the PICU. If there's a lot of overlap between home and job, it can sometimes feel emotionally suffocating and highly stressful.

I wish you and your family well with whatever you decide.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I agree most PICU's will only hire RN's, because of the nature of the job. An LPN's scope of practise is too limited for most intensive care units. Most pediatric critical care patients will have multiple titrated gtts going, and many IV push meds. They are usually one RN to one or two critical patients, and there would be nobody else to do the RN stuff for you. Once you get your RN, I would say "go for it." I worked PICU for many years and absolutely loved it.

[wecan11]

Thanks to the 3 who replied. I am aiming for RN bridge program this summer. Good advice from all. Will study this decision much more. Thanks again!

[nursel56]

My first job out of LVN(LPN) school was at the same pediatric hospital where my four year old brother was diagnosed with leukemia. (we had a mix of RNs/LVNs then) I had a different experience - but my unit was based on age for children 0-18 months so there were diagnoses across the spectrum. I have to admit that when I floated to the oncology floor it was a different story because I related more to my personal experience - the reminders were everywhere. I don't know if time would've helped me adjust to that or not.

It's part of who I am - I guess - I pretty easily separate clinical from personal even with close family members. That isn't a bad or good thing, it's a "know thyself" thing. From my perspective I think there are subcategories of nursing that make us really adept in if it harmonizes with our personalities. If a different niche makes you feel like a fish out of water - it doesn't mean you can't be a fantastic nurse. You'll be busy with your job and your bridge program! Bless you for wanting to give back though and being such a good heart babydaddy. :)