Precepting in the PICU

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Hello all! I am for sure doing pediatrics when I graduate (a year). I was always drawn to NICU and thought that was what I wanted to do. But, after clinicals I feel in love with the pediatric ICU. There is just something about it that I was drawn to more than the NICU.

I got into a clinical elective this summer for the PICU. I will have a preceptor for 90 hours over the course of 3 months. I was wondering if there was a PICU nursing book that would help me out before I start? I know that there is so much to learn about the PICU. I am looking for a book that discusses common diseases/injuries, what to do, and procedures. For example...this is what a PICC line is, this is how you draw blood from it, stuff like that. And for the diseases/injuries...for instance with increased ICP what kind of care should you follow? I.e-keeping the head of the bead elevated. Obviously more complex but is there a book like this that exists that will give me an edge? So that when I walk in there I will be more confident.

I have tried bookstores but they all have to be ordered online. So, any advice will be great. (I dont want to spend $60 on a book I wont use) Thank you guys for all your help :)

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

You might want to look at Critical Care Nursing Made Incredibly Easy and Pediatric Nursing Made Incredibly Easy. AACN has two really great texts, one is a core curriculum and the other a procedure manual, but they're pricy. (>$90 per book.)

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Specializes in Quality Improvement / Informatics.

Congratulations, Chickidee! I just started my PICU preceptorship, and so far, so good. I think it's on the lower end of PICUs, but I'm grateful to be there. Let us know how it goes for you.

Macho Nurse

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Congrats! I'm a relatively new grad who also spent some nursing school time in the PICU (and now I work in one). :D When I was there, I found this book helpful (albeit a bit thick):

Core Curriculum for Pediatric Critical Care Nursing (2006) by Margaret C. Slota (editor)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4160-0157-7

It has a some case studies in the back that I thought were good.

Good luck!!

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PS - you can get the book I mentioned for around $65 on Amazon, probably cheaper if you go to Half.com or get it used somewhere.... good luck!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

That's really cool. Congratulations on getting into the clinical elective in the PICU, I hope you enjoy it. Be sure to use this opportunity as a time to network.

!Chris :specs:

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Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.
Congrats! I'm a relatively new grad who also spent some nursing school time in the PICU (and now I work in one). :D When I was there, I found this book helpful (albeit a bit thick):

Core Curriculum for Pediatric Critical Care Nursing (2006) by Margaret C. Slota (editor)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4160-0157-7

It has a some case studies in the back that I thought were good.

Good luck!!

I'm also a new grad (May, 2009) and I'm now working in a PICU and it's so funny but i also got this book as well! It's awesome! Definately recommend it!

Mex

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