PGH feedback

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Mar 13, 2007

Worked there for 2.5 years from 1992-1995. Many years have passed since so don't know if the situation remains the same but all I can say is that I learned to be an independent thinker and acquired many skills. Started out working in the charity wards (Neurosurgery) - many patients to care for, very unsafe at the time. You have to rely on family members for much of nursing care. Indigent patients couldn't afford meds such as antibiotics. In six months, transferred to ICU (8-bed Neurosurgical Special Care Unit). Loved the experience.

3kidschr07 · Mar 20, 2007

Hi! I'm not working yet,just recently took the written exams, have to wait for 1 week,if i have pass or not.Yes! they're still hiring,i think if you want to be expose in many cases like what i want to be,PGH is the place to be.

coffeeaddict78 · Oct 22, 2007

Hi PinoyNP! I also worked at Neurosurgical Special Care unit in PGH from 2001-2005.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Oct 22, 2007

coffeeaddict78, that's awesome. I'm sure you have a lot of great stories to tell about your experience. I loved it there. Believe it or not I still look back at many of the stuff I learned in the NSSCU at PGH. We were very independent as nurses there...we would change vent settings or extubate patients ourselves, run codes, and start IV drips. You probably know some of the people I worked with.

Sariah · Oct 23, 2007

Hello everyone! I would like to apply in PGH!! Any advise on what shoul I do? Thanks!

coffeeaddict78 · Oct 23, 2007

coffeeaddict78, that's awesome. I'm sure you have a lot of great stories to tell about your experience. I loved it there. Believe it or not I still look back at many of the stuff I learned in the NSSCU at PGH. We were very independent as nurses there...we would change vent settings or extubate patients ourselves, run codes, and start IV drips. You probably know some of the people I worked with.

I can really relate to what you are saying....I believe that our experience there made us resilient and gave us the confidence that we can make it on the "real world." I also miss NSSCU.It's just sad that we dont have the technology and the resources in our hospital to provide the best possible care to our patients but we have very good doctors and nurses.I worked with Ate Tina Duenas,Lani Hernandez and Francia Pimentel...I'm not sure if you can still remember them!

kokokoko · Oct 25, 2007

uhm, what are the requirements for PGH... I also want to apply there.. and in Philippine Heart Center too..

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Oct 25, 2007

I can really relate to what you are saying....I believe that our experience there made us resilient and gave us the confidence that we can make it on the "real world." I also miss NSSCU.It's just sad that we dont have the technology and the resources in our hospital to provide the best possible care to our patients but we have very good doctors and nurses.I worked with Ate Tina Duenas,Lani Hernandez and Francia Pimentel...I'm not sure if you can still remember them!

Definitely know Lani and Francia sounds familar although the one I remember had a different last name...she might have gotten married then if that's actually the same person. Yeah, we were a tough act to follow there...sort of like the bad ass nurses in the entire hospital since we were in the ICU. We may not have the greatest technology and equipment but we sure made up for it with our talent for innovation. I remember our chest tubes draining into water seal using actual glass bottles. And managing fesh crani's with no ventric drain and ICP monitors. It was pure reliance on physical assessment skills to detect increasing ICP. I was also great at setting up vents although at the time we only had a few available units. So what are ya doing here in the US?

coffeeaddict78 · Jan 5, 2008

Definitely know Lani and Francia sounds familar although the one I remember had a different last name...she might have gotten married then if that's actually the same person. Yeah, we were a tough act to follow there...sort of like the bad ass nurses in the entire hospital since we were in the ICU. We may not have the greatest technology and equipment but we sure made up for it with our talent for innovation. I remember our chest tubes draining into water seal using actual glass bottles. And managing fesh crani's with no ventric drain and ICP monitors. It was pure reliance on physical assessment skills to detect increasing ICP. I was also great at setting up vents although at the time we only had a few available units. So what are ya doing here in the US?[/quote
Working in one of the hospitals here in SC.I got here last October 2005.I'm planning to relocate to a different state once my contract is finished.How about you?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jan 8, 2008

Working in one of the hospitals here in SC.I got here last October 2005.I'm planning to relocate to a different state once my contract is finished.How about you?

Been in Michigan since 1995. I left PGH in January of the same year. I started working there in 1992. I am currently a nurse practitioner for the intensivist group in the Cardio-thoracic Surgical ICU at a hospital in Detroit, Michigan. I live in the suburbs which is kind of the typical arrangement for Pinoys in this area. Can't say I love the weather here in Michigan but I have made many lasting relationships with people I consider family here, not to mention the real family I have. I may relocate somewhere warmer in maybe two years, who knows...

angel1966 · Mar 5, 2008

Hi PinoyNP, I also worked in NSSCU from 1988-2000 and I am very proud to be part of this unit. I learned a lot during my years of stay there and I will always cherish the memories that I had when I was there. I moved here to UK 8 years ago and luckily, still working in Neurosurgical ICU here in Sussex and my experience helped me a lot. I am sure we know each other.