PICU to Adult ICU- can I do this?

[meatball245]

I am an RN with 3 years exp in pediatrics, the last year being in the PICU. I work at a large level I teaching facility but will be relocating due to my husband changing jobs. The only job I could find in the ICU is in an adult setting at a level II teaching facility in a busy urban area. It is a high acuity high volume surgical ICU. I am not familiar with adults except for some shifts I had picked up at my current facility's SICU. I have tried searching AN for those who have transitioned from Peds to adult icu, but have mostly found the reverse.

I am just nervous that I will not make a good transition. I was told orientation is 3 months, but that nurses with icu exp usually take 5-6 weeks and those with rural icu exp needing max 8. I just dont want to be the dummy that cannot make the transition even tho I am an 'experienced ICU' nurse. Will I be able to do this?

[Good Morning, Gil]

I understand why you're a little nervous. I would be, as well, but after actually starting there, and getting experience, you'll feel more comfortable. It will be completely different, as you're used to peds patho, etc, peds dosing, but you'll get back into the groove. Just start reading adult patho/common meds, and you'll feel more confident before you start.

Read the icufaqs.org site, very helpful. It's made for someone brand new to ICU, but it will help you as you're new to adult ICU. I work in MICU (neuro/trauma and CVICU are separate, not sure if you're working in an "everything" ICU or if there are specialized ICU's there), but....

if it's set up like my hospital, your most common dx will be: septic shock, DKA, GI bleed, withdrawal (ETOH, drugs), resp failure/distress, codes from the floors, pneumonia, perf bowel (post-op)....we occasionally get seizures, MVA's, but those are usually if the beds are full in neuro or lateral transfers.

Go for it! Nurses change specialties all of the time.

[meatball245]

Thank you for your response! Our unit gets all those that you mentioned, just in peds size! I've floated a few shifts to the SICU, and I didn't mind it. The patients are always bigger, but I have had some adult size peds with major skin issues. The only thing that makes me nervous is cardiac issues and meds. I don't want to be thrown into the adult icu without some orientation bc I know vents, monitoring, drips, ect., and end up not giving safe care.

So in a nutshell, my question is:

Is the learning curve when transferring to an adult ICU as steep as learning PICU?

[Good Morning, Gil]

Umm...I can't really answer that as I have never done PICU, but I imagine yes. I think PICU would be much more heart-wrenching. Whenever I hear a "code junior" called, which thankfully is not often, my heart sinks. I can't imagine working PICU. Anyway, they're both ICU's, though different, of course. It should be easier for you, though, since you have nursing experience and prioritization under your belt. Go for it! You said you floated a few shifts in the SICU, so you can do it. Did you get the job?