Starting my preceptorship next week

[xaxxax]

Hello all, I am a student nurse graduating this December. I begin my nurse internship with a preceptor in the PICU next week and any advice or information that anyone could give me is greatly appreciated. I have done observations in the PICU before during my pediatric rotation and the experience was quite a lot for me to handle emotionally. To be honest I am very apprehensive about spending an entire rotation there. That being said, I want to learn as much as possible during my time there and provide the best care possible to my patients. I would really like to know what procedures and medications are performed/given so that I can review my techniques beforehand. Thanks all!

[xaxxax]

Anyone?

[MeganNYRN]

There are tons of procedures to prepare for so it may be better to make a list as you see things,ask questions and look things up when you get home. Every PICU has a different population but generally intubations, ventilators of various types, sedation for procedures and drips, central and arterial line care and tube feelings are common to most. Good Luck and remember its ok to be emotionally affected in PICU we see some horrible things.

[newbie12]

Hi guys,

I am a new grad who has been in PICU for less than a month. I wanted to take this challenge and do my second rotation here, but at the moment, I am feeling really down. At times I really just miss really ward nursing, no matter how much I think "at least if I don't like it by the time I finish, I can take this experience with me anywhere".. Other times I just think that I am useless. Both my unit and facility are very supportive, I just haven't really spoken to anyone about this yet. Does anyone have any tips or word of advice for me? I'm still being preceptored for a couple more weeks, and would like to make the most of this time (both being preceptored and working here for the rest of the year, regardless of whether or not I stay in PICU).

Any advice would be appreciated :)