PICU to Peds ED...

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Specializes in PICU, primary care, Peds ED.

Hello,

I am currently working (and loving!) in the PICU @ a level 1 trauma center. I have been a PICU RN for about 1 1/2 yrs. And, although I love it, I am still exploring the different areas of pediatric nursing. With that said, I will be transitioning from the PICU to the Peds ED @ the end of this month.

I was curious if anyone has any feedback on some ways to prepare for the change? Perhaps any comparisons of the 2 different units? I would love to hear from both sides! Peds ED nursing vs. PICU nursing...:nurse:

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

It definitely depends on the children you will be seeing. Some of them will be as acutely ill as those you see in the PICU but as the Peds ER nurse it is your resposibility in conjunction with the MD's to stabilize the patients. One thing is read up on how your facility grades triage. As a triage nurse you will have to decide who needs care immediately and who can wait. I'm in the ER and have been their 1 1/2 yr, it's difficult but rewarding. You will also have to be prepared to report any suspected child abuse, learn your hospital policy.

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Specializes in PICU, primary care, Peds ED.

Thanks for the feedback, I will definitley look into the triage grading. Good point!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

ER is a different environment for sure. It's a better place than PICU for those with a short attention span, and I don't mean that in a derogatory way. The pace is different and you're not usually involved with any one patient for an entire shift, so you need to be able to mentally shift gears quickly and cleanly. If you're used to mentally multitasking already, you'll thrive. If you're the sort that likes to know a lot of detail and be involved on more than a superficial level, you'll be frustrated. I don't know if I could make the jump because I'm the latter.

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Specializes in PICU, primary care, Peds ED.

Well, mutlitasker I am, so that makes me feel very confident making the switch. There have been some occasions that I feel like the things that I am seeing in the PICU are becoming redundant and at times, Im bored, more so now than ever. However, my concern is that I will miss being so deeply invovled with my kids and their families. Im worried that I will miss the rapport and trust that is built. Also, Im fearful that I may lose some of the critical thinking skills that come with PICU nursing. For instance, having to think things through on many levels so you now how and when to make changes for your patient.

A good friend of mine works both Peds ED and PICU, and I have voiced all my concerns to her, and she thinks Ill thrive and love it... but it's always nice to hear it from someone who isn't my friend, and may or may not be telling me what I want to hear! lol :lol2:

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