Student Nurse preparing for PICU rotation, how can I be most helpful to you?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 13, 2013

Well, first of all don't expect to 'help' us, expect to learn from us. It is actually MUCH more work to have a student assigned to you than it is to work alone. Pediatric ICU is, perhaps, the most challenging of units because of the wide variety of conditions and developmental considerations you will find there.

Remember that there are at least TWO 'patients' in each room - the child and the parent(s). Be sure the parents are crystal clear that you are a student and are not the sole care-taker for their child (we've had this issue in the past- parents of critically ill children do not want students for the most part).

Be open to any experience/ observation offered to you.

NEVER question the nurse's practice in front of the parents (unless you see a life-threatening error about to be made, of course). There is often a logical explanation for why- in the peds world- we do things differently than how you were taught in class. Ask about that at the desk, not the bedside.

Having said all that- enjoy. It's the greatest specialty there is IMHO. What hospital will you be at?

SarahToledo · Sep 13, 2013

I will be at Albany Medical Center in Albany New York, I guess help might have been the wrong word, I work as an aid on a med surg floor currently so I am used to trying to be very helpful. I also hope that the nurses don't resent me being there because I do understand it is more work to take on a student. I will be wearing my student scrubs with my college logo and I will be sure that it is clear I am just a student. Thank you for your advice I am trying to learn as much as I can, I would like to be a nurse in pediatrics. I graduate in may with my associates and peds is my eventual goal after getting my bsn

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 13, 2013

Let me be clear as well- we don't 'resent' you, students just make more work for us. I personally LOVE to precept, it's just that it takes more time than having an assignment solo.

And just because YOU know you are in school scrubs, doesn't meant the FAMILY knows what all the different logos/ scrub colors/ badges mean.

SarahToledo · Sep 13, 2013

I will be sure that the family knows I am a student, I was just wondering what skills I should practice in the lab before my clinicals start and if there are any specific things in the PICU that would be different from the adult ICU that would be good to come in having reviewed in my textbook...that kind of thing.

JeanOfAllTraits · Sep 18, 2013

I did my final one month preceptorship in general and hem/onc peds. I'm on an adult ICU now (like many new grads, I couldn't get into peds right away, even with quite a bit of peds experience in school on the floor, with research projects and having my PALS) but I want to get back to Peds someday. I miss those kids so much, even the really critically sick ones. Enjoy it because, like meanmaryjean said, I really do think that critical care and and peds are the best specialties in the world. :-)

Our.Inn · Dec 29, 2013

Sarah, I think it's great that you had the opportunity to spend that much time in PICU! Assuming you've finished your rotation there, do you have any tips for other students who will spend time in PICU?

marmstrong26 · Dec 30, 2013

I think the fact that you are asking how to help makes me think that you'll do great! While it is more work with a student, it's also a nice extra set of hands. So be willing to hold a leg, wipe a bottom or go get towels! Stay out of the way in emergencies- find a corner to stand in and observe or, if you know where things are, help as a runner- getting supplies. Good luck!! I hope your experience is great and the little ones win your heart!