PICU vs. MICU/SICU/TNICU

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

Hi guys,

I'm interviewing this month for a Critical Care Internship in the hospital that I currently work at as a tech in Transitional Trauma. I've discovered while working in TTU that I LOVE my kid patients. While taking care of adults has been sort of ho-hum, I feel absolutely passionate about my kids and find I do very well with them as well as supporting their families.

My question is as a new nurse, would I be limiting my job opportunities by going into a pediatric specialty right out of school? Is employment more difficult to find in pediatrics? I'm feeling so much pressure to make the right decision and feel like I want kids, but don't know if it is most practical. Any adice is greatly appreciated.

THanks!

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Hi guys,

I'm interviewing this month for a Critical Care Internship in the hospital that I currently work at as a tech in Transitional Trauma. I've discovered while working in TTU that I LOVE my kid patients. While taking care of adults has been sort of ho-hum, I feel absolutely passionate about my kids and find I do very well with them as well as supporting their families.

My question is as a new nurse, would I be limiting my job opportunities by going into a pediatric specialty right out of school? Is employment more difficult to find in pediatrics? I'm feeling so much pressure to make the right decision and feel like I want kids, but don't know if it is most practical. Any adice is greatly appreciated.

THanks!

short answer.... I worked w/ Adults for 3 years......Now I do PICU...Kids are way more challenging smaller, everything KG based. ...a lot more rewarding, I would recommend it ...way easier to start off in peds than go from adults to peds.... just my opinion :)

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Specializes in Picu, ICU, Burn.

I did a year of ICU out of nursing school. We took burns both peds and adult and just like you I loved the kids. It's a calling. Many adult nurses will say they could never deal with kids. After that first year I did a couple adult travel assignments then went running for the PICU. I loved it. However now that I do agency exclusivley I am finding that PICU shifts are hard to come by so having that adult experience is keeping me working right now. So that's something to consider.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

PICU/peds positions are a little harder to find, simply because there are fewer of them. Childhood is generally a healthy time, and there is less need for pediatric beds in hospitals than adult beds.

That said, I advise you to search high and low for a PICU/peds position, if that is what you desire. I firmly believe that adult experience is not desirable, and may even be counter-productive for a nurse who wishes to pursue a pediatric career.

If you are unable to find a PICU/peds job, consider neonatal ICU. Those jobs are plentiful and offer a good preparation for an eventual transfer to PICU. Also, most large NICUs in teaching/referral hospitals routinely hire new grads, and gear orientation to them.

Good luck!

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It might be a better suggestion for you to work in a Peds Med/Surg unit and then go on to a PICU. If you find that after a time you want a different area of Peds, you've already got a Peds base. Something I'm going to look into doing.

Kris

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