PICU Question

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Hello all!

Sorry if this should be posted in the student section but I was really hoping for input from experienced nurses. I will be doing my precepted Leadership clinical in a local PICU, before graduation in May. I am very excited because in the PICU they do not use techs or nursing partners (an opportunity for students), and if I do well their leadership students get interviewed/hired with priority when the new graduate positions are opened. My background is in the Pediatric ER and NICU, where I have been working as a nurse tech.

My question is if anyone could lend me some pointers to get prepared for PICU. Any meds I should know or really focus on? Lab Values? I am really looking for anything experienced nurses would want someone they are precepting as a senior nursing student to know coming in. The PI where I will be doing clinical is a variety PICU that deals with medical and surgical issues, with cardio, neuro, respiratory and various other problems being represented.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for any help!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

What a great opportunity for you! If I were precepting you, I would expect you to have good organizational skills, understand how to prioritize your care and a healthy dose of fear. These patients you'll be looking after are going to be the sickest people you've ever seen. If that doesn't scare you just a little, then I'd be very concerned.

As for the rest of your quest for information check out these threads:

https://allnurses.com/picu-nursing-pediatric/how-prepare-first-453855.html

https://allnurses.com/picu-nursing-pediatric/first-week-picu-174962.html

https://allnurses.com/picu-nursing-pediatric/advice-requested-track-168464.html

https://allnurses.com/picu-nursing-pediatric/picu-fear-200547.html

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Specializes in pediatric critical care.

And don't be afraid to ask questions, remember, there are NO stupid questions, if you don't ask, how will you learn? Good luck!

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Thank you both! Just finished my first week and so far so good! :) I am loving it!

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