New Grad Pediatric Cardiac ICU Resources

[Cashlee]

Hi all! I just accepted an New Grad RN Residency in a Pediatric CICU at a large Children's Hospital. I am both excited and terrified for this journey! Does anyone who works in PICU or PCICU have any book recommendations that might be helpful for a new CICU nurse? I'd really love to get a head start on some studying before starting residency in November. Any and all tips/tricks are welcome. Thank you!

[CLoveR49]

Thank you Dianah! I'll probably post more eventually, this site has been so helpful so far! I usually find posts answering my questions so I don't even post first ? 

Living2Learn, I have IG. Is your name the same as your name on here? Thanks! 

[Living2Learn, BSN, RN]

CLoveR49 said:

Thank you Dianah! I'll probably post more eventually, this site has been so helpful so far! I usually find posts answering my questions so I don't even post first ? 

Living2Learn, I have IG. Is your name the same as your name on here? Thanks! 

Nope, it's @sirbeatness - feel free to add me and we can chat more!

[Cashlee, BSN, RN]

stargirl45 said:

Hello, I'm about to start my PCICU job in a couple weeks at a huge childrens hospital as well! 

How was your first year? Any tips?

Hi! It's been awhile since I have been on this thread. My first year was rough but things have gotten so much better! I'm still on the same unit and have now even gained some seniority. I'm now occasionally precepting and resource nurse. I hope things are going okay for you! Please feel free to DM me and we could exchange social media or email if you'd like to talk one on one! 

[Cashlee, BSN, RN]

Living2Learn said:

I know you already started, but if you are still following this, but yes, I do have resources! I was in your position not too long ago. New Grad residency at a large children's hospital in a cardiac ICU! It's definitely scary at first, but it's so worth it. You'll learn so much in that first year it'll blow your mind!

 

• The first resource I would recommend is Illustrated Field Guide to Congenital Heart Disease and Repair - this is an AMAZING resource that help you tremendously with learning the heart and defects. Peds cardiac is so specialized and there are so many complicated defects. You'll see a lot more than TOFs and VSDs at your hospital. Learning how these defects affect the body and which sorts or surgeries repair them is imperative to having a strong grasp on caring for the patient. I got a copy of this during my residency and I use it ALL the time. 
• Before I started my residency, I was trying to find resources to prepare me as well. I ran across Open Pediatrics - this is a phenomenal, free resource on all things regarding pediatric medical care. They have a great cardiac section. It sort of reads like Khan Academy and is a resource that is used and referenced by many hospitals. 
• Lastly, the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Handbook published by the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society is amazing. It is easy to digest and has information directed for patient care in specific. I recently used this on a unit project and found it to be a great read. 

 

I hope this information is helpful for you and good luck as you start your journey!

Hi! Thank you for all the resources. Just thought I'd shoot an update and let you know that I used all of the resources you provided when I started and they were all helpful. My educator actually provided me with 2 of the ones you recommended! I'm still on the same unit almost a year and a half later and things are going well!

[Cashlee, BSN, RN]

CLoveR49 said:

Just wanted to say thank you for this post and your recommendations. I received an offer for the Peds Cardiac ICU yesterday and this post was exactly what I needed to read...I was initially told it was an offer for CVICU, so when I got the official offer letter stating Peds CVICU, I was both excited and scared at the thought of working with the pediatric population. May I ask, since initially posting, have you stayed in PCVICU? 

Hello! Yes, I'm still on the same unit almost a year and a half later! I had a rough time about 6 months in, but stuck it out and things became so so much better. Just give yourself grace and remember that everyone struggles in the beginning. You'll do great! Feel free to add me on insta if you want to DM and talk one on one. My IG handle is cashxlee

I also have a separate insta account where I documented my whole first year as a new grad, but I deactivated it because I wasn't using it frequently anymore. I'll let you know if I decide to open that account again.