Position that is NICU and PICU?!

jillyk*rn · Apr 10, 2006

I work peds and get floated to PICU and NICU. The PICU kids are usually floor status kids, and in NICU I usually get babies who are growers and close to going home. I wouldn't have any clue what to do with those tiny little babies and the equipment that they are hooked up to.

fergus51 · Apr 10, 2006

We have a position like that at my hospital, but you must have experience in each area. It is NOT for new nurses. If you have experience in one area, they will train you to the others.

kahlo · Apr 11, 2006

I'm definitely asking about orientation time for each section -- NICU, PICU and peds. I would like to spend at least 8 weeks in each - we'll see how realistic that idea is.

But in response to fergus51's post -- i AM a new grad, January 2006. Do you think it's not a good situation for a new grad to go to?

I would think that with ample and thorough training, that it could work out well.

Jolie, BSN · Apr 11, 2006

I agree with fergus.

NICU orientation for a new grad should be a miminum of 12 weeks. PICU orientation for a new grad should be about 6 months, since there is so much more to learn when caring for such a broad range of ages and conditions. Peds floor orientation should be 6-8 weeks.

So unless this hospital plans to orient you for nearly a full year, (which they don't), then this job is a very bad idea. Actually, any float position is a bad idea for a new grad. You need a dedicated unit with a thorough orientation and identified mentors.

Don't jump for any bad job just to get into maternal-child health. Find a reputable teaching or children's hospital that will provide you with a thorough orientation to a single unit. Good luck!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2006

I agree with the others. These positions do exist, but they are not a good idea for a new grad. Even very experienced nurses have a hard time doing a job like this because it's hard to stay updated on new practices in three different areas. To have to learn each of them from scratch and to then bounce between them - not a good idea at all. Just because the hospital might be offering this job to an inexperienced nurse doesn't mean that it's okay.

I'd ask if they have an open staff position in one of the three units, and start there. If you don't like that particular area, you can transfer after a year or so if the area of your choice has positions available at that point.

Good luck!

kahlo · Apr 11, 2006

thank you for all your replies!

i was thinking along the same lines -- i was a little nervous about all three positions at once. but got so excited at the idea of getting into NICU off the bat.

i'll see what the position entails, and the orientation time. if it's not up to par, i'll ask about beginning in NICU alone. i would think that you would need a year just to feel comfortable in NICU, before throwing in PICU.

thank you all so much!

suzanne4, RN · Apr 11, 2006

I will throw my two cents in as well.

You need a full orientation in each of those areas, even the vents used in the PICU are different from the vents in the NICU. And even though you are the float, there are days when you will need to take a child on a vent by yourself, do you think that you would be comfortable in doing that? The hospital can promise you anything, but realistically, they are not going to orient you for the year, that you really need. This position is for someone that already has experience in either NICU, or PICU, or even both. Then to show them the other side of it is not that hard, they are already familiar with vents, invasive lines, etc. but to teach someone all of that in just a couple of months is asking for trouble. The float pool is essentially functioning as in-house agency, or equivalent.

The eight weeks that you mentioned for the PICU is way too short in my opinion. There are just too many things to see and learn. Remember, above all else, it will be your nursing license that you are functioning under.

And for any facility that is offering a position ot a new grad like this needs a kick in their behind.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Apr 11, 2006

Don't do it! I have a friend that took a float job for L/D, postpartum and NICU and she was completely lost. She didn't feel safe at all. New grads need to start in one area and then move from there.

fergus51 · Apr 11, 2006

I'm definitely asking about orientation time for each section -- NICU, PICU and peds. I would like to spend at least 8 weeks in each - we'll see how realistic that idea is.
But in response to fergus51's post -- i AM a new grad, January 2006. Do you think it's not a good situation for a new grad to go to?
I would think that with ample and thorough training, that it could work out well.

DON"T DO IT!!! :nono: I can't stress how strongly I feel about this enough. 8 weeks as a new grad wouldn't get you comfortable in even one area. You'd need a good orientation (in NICU that should be at least 3 months for a new grad) and then time on your own (say a year) before you should be training for a new area. You need time to see a variety of patients and to really absorb the knowledge needed to care for them. You're still a baby in the NICU after a year because it takes time to be able to put the whole picture together. Even getting comfortable with all the equipment and psychomotor skills takes time (ivs for 24 weekers aren't always easy). Any hospital that would hire you into such a position is doing you a diservice. DON'T DO IT. It isn't worth your lisence or your patient's safety. There are a lot of nicus that will take you as a new grad and train you just for the nicu.

I have to add I feel so bad for new grads that get suckered into these jobs. The hospital is just looking for a warm body and they take advantage of the fact that a new grad often doesn't know just how hard things are going to be (they don't even know what they don't know at that point). Then the new grad winds up either hurting a patient or getting so burned out from the stress that they leave. It isn't fair to them. New grads to any specialty deserve a solid orientation and support from other staff members.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2006

NO WAY! I graduated last May, worked in a well-baby nursery for about 6 months and just started a new job in a NICU. I can't IMAGINE having to learn PICU and peds on top of what I'm learning now. There is so much to know in NICU, I'm wondering if I'll even be ready after the 12 weeks of orientation I get.

I agree with the others in that you should just focus on one area and get a good orientation in that. Good luck to you, let us know what you decide!

kahlo · Apr 12, 2006

Thank you all for your replies and experience with this

Judging from your opinions, this type of position is not at all realistic for me to start my career in. I suppose that i was just hopeful that it could be done!

I'm going on the interview a week from today -- and will try my best to impress the recruiter :lol2: and speak to her about a position in soley in NICU.