Dee76

Hi CaliforniaRNForKids, I just read your post and wondered if you work or have worked in the PICU at UC Davis or have heard anything about it? My family and I are moving to the area and I would really appreciate anything you could tell me about the unit. I also was wondering if you have heard anything about a Kaiser PICU being built in the Sacramento area? Thanks, Diana

Hi James, I currently work part time for a Plastic Surgeon here in Hawaii doing skin care, including Botox, laser, etc. Allergan, the company that makes Botox, sent training material and the rest of my training was hands on. I know in California and probably other areas, RN's are doing well in aesthetics. I guess it depends on your interests, I couldn't do it full time as it isn't too stimulating for me and it can be very repetative. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

The Oncology floor had a very good reputation in the hospital. They would only transfer kids to the PICU once they were very ill. I took care of several kids from that floor and all of the families were very happy with the care they had received. The nurses there seemed really dedicated to the kids. Their Nurse Mgr or Educator (I can't remember what her position was or her name) had just been elected to some kind of National Advisory Committee on Pediatric Oncology when I worked there. I attended a couple of classes she taught, she was extremely knowledgeable and a great teacher. I think if Peds Oncology is what you are interested in doing, CHLA would definitley be the best place to go.

I worked at Children's in the PICU before moving to Maui and I loved it. The nurse manager was great and the two educators for the unit are amazing. I had worked at Cedars prior to CHLA and had to take a pay cut, but it was worth it to me. The quality of care in the hospital is second to none and they offer a lot of really great classes to the staff. Good Luck!

Thanks, Vicky. Good luck with your nursing program, maybe we will work together one of these days at Mercy!

Hello, I went to Maric for my ADN 5 years ago. It is very expensive, but I felt well prepared for my boards and had no trouble passing them. After I graduated, I honestly felt a little embarresed when people in the area would ask where I went to school because I don't think Maric has the best reputation. But I have found the longer I have been a RN, the less it matters where I went to school and more on my personal/work ethic. If you can take your pre-reqs elsewhere, it will save you a ton of money. Good Luck!

Hello all, My family and I are considering moving from Maui to the Northern California area, probably Redding. I would really appreciate some information (& opinions) about the two hospitals in that area, Mercy & Shasta. Any opinions on living in Redding would be great too!!

I graduated with my ADN from Maric almost 5 years ago. I have had no problem with my credits being accepted at other colleges. It is very expensive, I did the LVN to RN program, used my GI Bill to pay along the way and I still owed over 20k when I graduated. But it was worth it to me because the program is quick and I felt totally prepared when I took my boards. It does have a bad rep in the SD area. I worked at Children's in the PICU and a couple of my fellow nurses told me they had heard bad things about Maric. Good Luck!!