New PICU Transport Nurse - any advice???

[Redneckmedic63]

Well, pray for me. I made the jump! After 3-1/2 years of being a PICU nurse, I just accepted a position as the newest member of our PICU transport team. It's an awesome opportunity, and the feeling of responsibility is a bit overwhelming as I think of it. It's a fantastic bunch of people (4 besides myself), and the support will be great. Just pray that I have what it takes! I start a 3-4 month preceptorship/training in 2 weeks, then go from there - it's intense!

Would love to hear from other PICU Transport Nurses out there - your experiences starting out, mistakes, victories. Any and all feedback is appreciated!

Joe

[tryingtohaveitall]

Congratulations! It's great to see your enthusiasm and your respect for the responsibility. I guess my 2C would be to be prepared for the worst at all times. That's where I get frustrated with some of my team members, they can be a bit too lax and forget how deep the doo doo can be when things hit the fan.

GL!

[Jolie, BSN]

Congratulations!

You are about to embark on a fascinating, terrifying and awesome journey! (But you already knew that) :)

I had worked in NICU for 2 years when applications were accepted for new transport team members. I decided I needed another year of experience and didn't apply. Imagine my surprise when I received a letter congratulating me on my acceptance to the transport team. I went to my manager and told her that there must have been a mistake. She grinned from ear to ear and said, "No mistake, other than you should have applied. She insisted that I go thru orientation, and then if I still felt I was not ready, she would take me off the list. It was probably the greatest thing anyone ever did for me professionally. The confidence, autonomy, creativity (when you get to a small, out-lying hospital and have to make-do with the available supplies), the opportunity to work with dedicated professionals and parents, etc.

A year later, hubby took a new job and we moved to a smaller city, where there was no transport team. I was even more grateful that I had taken the experience when it was offered.

Safe travels.