New Graduate in the PICU

[RNthenDoc]

Hello guys, so I figured I would give you some back story on me so that you can grasp the situation. I am a male that fell into nursing from switching out of pharmacy and have never had experience with kids, even thought I did not like kids. I initially planned to work adult ICU and go to CRNA school for the money (I know, I know). Anyways, I became a tech in an adult ICU and have loved the intensity of care. After my pediatric rotation my attitude changed somewhat towards kids and to pursue it further I volunteered to be a camp counselor at a Children's camp for those with Spina Bifida. LOVED IT. Despite the girls in my program telling me that they didn't think I would be suited for peds, I applied for a PICU position at a level 1 trauma facility and a MICU position in an adult ICU. I was offered both.. but I have decided to follow my gut and go against everyone's advice and take the PICU position. Maybe I wasn't called to peds like some of the women in my program, but this is where the ship has sailed and I really do hope I have made the right decision! My question is, was it hard for those of you who began your nursing journey in a pediatric ICU? Does it differ from working in an adult ICU as far as intensity? What is an average day/patient population like for you? You don't have to answer every question, I would really just appreciate any input that you may add to this thread. Thank you.

p.s. I am not sure if this makes a difference, but the PICU I will be in will be "medical/surgical" PICU and not trauma or peds CVICU (?)

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

If you've read my response to your other thread, you'll have a lot of the answers I can provide.

My PICU nursing career began a long time before I went to nursing school. I have a medically-complex son, who is now an adult; he spent many weeks in both NICU and PICU before his 6th birthday so I had a good idea of what I was getting into. Comparing adult ICU to pediatric ICU isn't really a fair comparison. The diagnoses that bring kids into ICU are very different from those that bring adults in. One big difference is in how long codes will continue. Peds codes can go on for upwards of an hour, because children generally don't have a bucketful of comorbidities, they usually have healthy hearts and their brains are more adaptable that adults'. Many peds codes are the result of hypoxia, rather than cardiac issues; their rhythm issues are generally less malignant and their capacity for compensation is much greater. Some people say that they have an easier time providing ICU care to children because their illnesses aren't typically related to lifestyle and poor choices. Of course, the closer those kids get to adulthood, the more those factors come into play.

Your gender will not be a factor in your career choice, despite what your classmates might think. I work with a lot of very strong, competent and caring nurses who happen to be men. There are lots of kids who respond more positively to a nurse who is male than they do to a nurse who is female. Oh, and just as many women are unprepared to be mothers as men are to be fathers, so the notion that a man can't be a good peds nurse is ludicrous.

[PICUGuy]

Just seeing this thread. I'm a guy who landed a job in the PICU (level 1, regional trauma and burn) as a new grad and absolutely love my choice. Is it hard? Yes. Very. It's a lot to ask of a new grad, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. The care we provide is just as intense as what is provided on an adult unit, but I feel like the emotional baggage is a bit heavier. Mind you, I haven't worked in adult crital care, so I can't truly compare the two; but losing a child is really difficult, and it doesn't get easier , you just learn to cope with it more efficiently.

I work at a 40 bed PICU with high acuity. Right now we have 4 patients on ECMO who are fighting every moment of every day...but we also have plenty of little ones who are post op and just need a little extra care. But that's part of what makes it great. There is such a range and you never know what your day/night is going to be like.

I hope by now you feel good about your choice! Let us know how it's going if you have a minute to update. Good luck to you!

[heychels]

Hey there,

I dont have a lot of advice to give because I'm also a grad - just landed my first ever nursing job in a combined NICU/PICU so I'm wishing us both luck!

What I DO want to say is that anyone who tells you that you are less 'apt' for this job because of your gender can F right off. True, you're in a predominantly female profession but that doesn't mean you're not as good or as capable, it means you have a glass ceiling to shatter. You have the same education as any female you graduated with and clearly enough interest and passion to do the job well. If this comment was directed at a woman trying out for a management position, everyone would freak out about sexism (where I'm from, at least) and this is no different. Please, for everyone with a glass ceiling to deal with, go out there and excel. Show everyone who doubts you because you're a male that you dont need to be female to care about/for children.

Good luck my friend, I'm cheering for you.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

The glass ceiling comment caught my eye. Women have been and still are faced with glass ceilings in many occupations but they typically will batter their heads against them anyway. Both of my daughters are in professions that are male-dominated, one in molecular/cytogenetics and the other in law enforcement. What I see in them isn't their gender but their determination to succeed, no matter what. If you have that, it doesn't matter if you're a guy in a gal's world or a gal in a guy's world... all that matters is that you're doing your best in the career path you've chosen.