Curious...any of you guys considering Peds/PICU/NICU?

Nursing Students Male Students

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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?

Stephen

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I take my final exam on my peds rotation tomorrow. It's been a tough (lecture) class, but I loved the clinical aspect of it. So much, in fact, that I've already begun talking up the department manager over the PICU, hoping to do my preceptorship there (or even on the general peds floor).

I was already leaning towards nicu/picu/peds, and my clinical experience this semester just cemented that decision.

Start OB on 10/20.

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Specializes in Ortho/Pharmacuectical.

I am interested in NICU, when i did my peds rotation last year i was on a step-down like nicu unit and really enjoyed, i have since wanted to either work in nicu or burn ( i know quite different)...but can you give me advice on where new grads are able to start in a Level III nicu b/c i am also interested in NNP (so i know i need 2 years of level 3)

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This sounds like a very interesting area to definitely work in.I think it takes alot of courage and professionalism in general to work in this area.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

Sorry for digging up this thread, but I felt like it had my name written all over it :D

Been interested in pediatrics since I myself was a young boy, and after a few diversions I am back on track with my dream. For the last 5 years I have been working in education and absolutely love working with kids. But I know my heart is not in education, and working with kids as a nurse is where I should be. I have particularly been interested in NICU as my 1st choice for a very long time, especially since I was a preemie and have another family member go through the same experience as a parent of one. I have recently discovered that PICU is another specialty I find interest in. I am in the process of deciding between a couple of accelerated BSN program offers, I can't wait to start!!

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.
I take my final exam on my peds rotation tomorrow. It's been a tough (lecture) class, but I loved the clinical aspect of it. So much, in fact, that I've already begun talking up the department manager over the PICU, hoping to do my preceptorship there (or even on the general peds floor).

I was already leaning towards nicu/picu/peds, and my clinical experience this semester just cemented that decision.

Start OB on 10/20.

Heh, been in NICU for 1.5 years now, so I guess I changed my mind about PICU. :p

Best decision I ever made, though. Absolutely love it.

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Specializes in CNA.

I'd love to work in all the areas you noted - and I would be damn good at it too.

However, my OB rotation put me off that idea forever. I was very lucky in my rotation in that I actually got to take care of exactly one patient and her baby. A lady who had a c section that morning. She loved me and was fine with me doing every intervention on her and her baby girl. It was amazing. I rarely saw my nurse, but she checked in often and my instructor kept fairly close if I needed anything. My Med/Surg skills are pretty good (for a student) so it was a great and busy shift for me.

Then the next week, once again, no patients would accept a male student. So I got stuck in the "Special Care Nursery" sort of a step down unit from NICU. There were 5 babies and 5 RNs, none of whom wanted a student doing ANYTHING. All the babies were doing well, so these 5 old bats spent most of the shift sitting together gossiping. None of them did a single thing I could not have done (reposition, tube feedings, etc) and they would not let me so much as change a diaper.

Longest shift of my life.

Usually, I am very good at working with nurses to explain/show/prove my competence, but in this case they all knew male students got tossed in there all the time and they were not up for it.

Fine. Eff you ladies. When people complain about underworked and overpaid nurses, they are talking about you.

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I want to start out in adult CVICU, but I would not pass up on an opportunity to work in PICU or PCICU (pediatric cardiac ICU). I am interested in working trauma ICU, SICU, and CVICU. I know that PICU takes all kinds of patients, post-op, trauma, post cardiac arrest, infections, respiratory distress, etc, so I feel that it would be an interesting place to work. As interesting as it may sound, I want to work with adults first and establish a firm critical care knowledge bank before I move on to working with peds.

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I have to say, when I decided I wanted to become a nurse, the first thought in my mind was "I want to play with the new babies!" (I love babies, wish I could talk my wife into having more of 'em) but when we had our second child I was told by the hospital that male nurses aren't even allowed on the floor. Since I would have to move to a different city to get to another hospital, guess I'll have to do something else. :crying2: oh well, ER nurse is my second choice:cool:

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
I have to say, when I decided I wanted to become a nurse, the first thought in my mind was "I want to play with the new babies!" (I love babies, wish I could talk my wife into having more of 'em) but when we had our second child I was told by the hospital that male nurses aren't even allowed on the floor. Since I would have to move to a different city to get to another hospital, guess I'll have to do something else. :crying2: oh well, ER nurse is my second choice:cool:

Am I the only one here that thinks this reeks of discrimination? :rolleyes:

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