NICU, PICU or Children's ER?? Need to choose for final practicum..

Nurses General Nursing

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EEK..one month until I need to make a choice as to where I want to be placed for my final practicum in school. :eek: I have narrowed it down to 3, that I feel I may enjoy and do well at. NICU, PICU or Children's emerg. Clearly, I have decided that I want to venture into the pediatric population but I can find pros and cons for all 3 choices. I thought I would see if anyone at all out there would have insight to share. Or perhaps just pull from a hat...:confused:

Specializes in NICU & OB/GYN.

So just an update to my decision. I have done some shadowing in the past few weeks. Children's Emerg never got back to me, so I spent a day on a pediatric oncology ward, which wasn't bad but I wasn't in love with it either. I then shadowed at a NICU which is considered level II and III, however since I would be limited to the intermediate care, I only got to shadow this side which was mostly grower/feeders, with no invasive care. It was an alright experience. The staff weren't jumping for joy to have me tag along, which I can understand but the one nurse I followed spent more time making sure I knew the problems with their staffing, morale and lack of teamwork at times. Finally, I shadowed PICU and I had the complete opposite experience. My buddy nurse showed me around, made me feel ultra comfortable, let me ask lots of questions and the majority of all the staff made sure that I got in there to see complex procedures being done and kept me involved. I did enjoy the variety of cases presented in PICU as well, so I guess it is safe to say this will be my number one choice for practicum. Now, if I get accepted....is a whole other thing!

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I would do PICU or ER. A lot more variety in what you will see.

Let me just say that (as tough as I am, and I'm pretty tough) pediatric oncology nearly did me in emotionally during nursing school. Based on that experience, my suggestion would be Boo Boos over anything having to do with long term illness.

Anyone who can Nurse and Nurture someone else's child and do it from the heart, deserves double my salary.

Specializes in PICU.
So just an update to my decision. I have done some shadowing in the past few weeks. Children's Emerg never got back to me, so I spent a day on a pediatric oncology ward, which wasn't bad but I wasn't in love with it either. I then shadowed at a NICU which is considered level II and III, however since I would be limited to the intermediate care, I only got to shadow this side which was mostly grower/feeders, with no invasive care. It was an alright experience. The staff weren't jumping for joy to have me tag along, which I can understand but the one nurse I followed spent more time making sure I knew the problems with their staffing, morale and lack of teamwork at times. Finally, I shadowed PICU and I had the complete opposite experience. My buddy nurse showed me around, made me feel ultra comfortable, let me ask lots of questions and the majority of all the staff made sure that I got in there to see complex procedures being done and kept me involved. I did enjoy the variety of cases presented in PICU as well, so I guess it is safe to say this will be my number one choice for practicum. Now, if I get accepted....is a whole other thing!

Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed the PICU. =) I hope you get accepted! It will be an extremely awarding opportunity.. and there's just so much to learn! Its also great when the staff is friendly and helpful. Good luck!

Specializes in NICU & OB/GYN.

Hello to any who were following this thread...

So, just an update since last fall. I was not accepted into the PICU but I was accepted into the NICU for practicum. I figure everything must happen for a reason. I am mid-way through now and just received my mid-term evaluation..to which I am doing fairly well. I am debating speaking with the MGR about being hiring on as a new grad...as a few of the staff are encouraging me to do so. I enjoy it, b/c everything is different from school and for once I don't feel like an awkward student. It's also intimidating b/c majority of the staff have been there 20 plus yrs. I still wonder if PICU is more for me, as I was more attracted to the variety and acuity of that unit. BUT I'm thinking that if I am offered a spot in the NICU, I should take advantage of this opportunity to continue learning & getting my feet wet as a new grad...and I can always try PICU down the road.

I guess the first step is to talk with the MGR and see what she says before making any decisions. I think I am the kinda person who no matter where I was placed for practicum...I would always wonder about working in the other place. Just gotta learn to enjoy the moment and not fret about the 'what if's'

Thanks for all your advice everyone!

Specializes in PICU.

I've been meaning to respond back to this for a while!

Definitely fill us in on what happens with the NICU! If PICU is where your heart is set, keep applying for jobs! But I would definitely recommend accepting a NICU position if available. Its easier to transfer to another unit in the hospital after working for a year if the PICU is something you will still want. =)

Specializes in NICU & OB/GYN.
I've been meaning to respond back to this for a while!

Definitely fill us in on what happens with the NICU! If PICU is where your heart is set, keep applying for jobs! But I would definitely recommend accepting a NICU position if available. Its easier to transfer to another unit in the hospital after working for a year if the PICU is something you will still want. =)

Thanks for your reply! I will keep you posted. I should hopefully know within the next few weeks. All my resumes are sent out...and my fingers crossed!

Specializes in PICU.

What ever happened?

What ever happened?

Wow. You resurrected a post that has been inactive nearly 8 years. This might be a record.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.
What ever happened?

Well, from her posts in 2012, she went to the NICU then L&D...

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