Thank You PICU Nurses!

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

Hi all,

I would love to work in a NICU or PICU as a nurse, but I am still working on my RN-BSN and I live in the Boston area where BSN is required at even local hospitals now.

I just wanted to thank all the PICU nurses for their hard work, my niece has been in PICU for six days now and I have a great appreciation for you. The surgeon accidentally nicked her bowel during a hernia repair and didn't realize it until three days later when she became quite septic. She is improving everyday and the PICU nurses have played a big role in that. Her nurses have been very sweet and caring to her and to whomever is visiting at the time, and of course her exhausted parents. They have included us in her care, especially when they found out I am a nurse (my sister revealed that one), which is more important than you may realize.

We had one nurse that didn't seem to trust us to do anything and that was disheartening, so please remember that when you are caring for your patients. Depending on the how sick the patient is and how many lines are in place, I understand the concern, but...

I just wanted to say thanks and give you brief view of what it is like to be on the other side!

HPRN

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..

so sorry about your niece! Must be hard, knowing enough to know how dangerous that can be. Glad you posted here - this is a great place for support! Especially if you go to the General Off-Topic Talk forum, and find the daily thread. ie, todays is 12/18, you can go to that thread and post what is going on - a lot of us "hang out" there and chat.

Take care and welcome to allnurses.com!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Caring for and involving family should be ingrained in a PICU nurse's character. It's how we roll! Very few of us expect to be commended for doing what comes naturally, but it sure feels good when somebody notices. There are lots of ways family members can be included in caring for their kiddo, things that they'd be happy to do. I like to show parents how to provide mouth care (our patients are almost totally nasal intubations) and skin care. I don't have to be the one to put ointment into a child's eyes, or rub lotion into their dry skin. Where appropriate I ask for help with diaper and linen changes, and sometimes even dressing changes, depending on the family member and their tolerance.

I'm glad to hear your niece has recovered. (Different thread.) Thank you for your generous comments.

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