NICU to PICU... should I do it?

[Tomskatt]

Okay gang.... here's one you may have dealt with before, but I would love to get your expertise and opinions. I have been a NICU nurse for almost 11 years (YIKES! How did that happen?). Most of that time was as P/T or per diem. I am now going to go back to work F/T and am thinking about making the jump to another specialty... most likely to PICU. I love what I do, but to be honest it is very limiting and I really can't see myself as a staff nurse for the next 20 years. Have any of you made the switch to/from any specialties and how did you find the experience. Is it overwhelming? Rewarding? Impossible? Please, don't hold back! :) I really believe Peds nurses are some of the most well rounded nurses in the hospital. Dealing with a paient anywhere from newborn to young adult really gives you some great experience. What do you all think?

[suzanne4, RN]

I have worked many other specialties and I am currently doing a travel assignment in a PICU. It can be extremely depressing at tiems, as well as extremely rewarding. And yes, you do take care fo everything from a new-born to big size. Alot more lifting is required, as well as learning an entire different set of skills.

Good luck with the change.

[PackMule]

You sound like me several years ago. Had worked in NICU for many years and felt like I wanted to do more. I kept my foot in working in NICU on a PRN basis and went to Pedi Home Health because I liked the flexibility and automony. I went to grad school and am doing other things now, but I would strongly recommended doing a "trial run" working in another area before you cut the ties so to speak. You never know what you're going to like. Personally, I didn't care for PICU because of the child abuse cases and kids in pain, etc. Home health is primary care nursing at its finest and I loved the continuity. You definitely have to have boundaries in that job because you get to be part of the family. I did find it very rewarding and less stress in general after coming down from the technical aspects of NICU. So eventually I was able to feel more comfortable weaning myself out of the NICU. I also did some PRN work in the Rehab area and also in the Chronic care areas. Not everyone likes chronic care, but I always felt more like a nurse and less like a technician when I was in these areas.

Good Luck to You!