trying to decide if NICU will be a good fit...

[Shanlee79]

I have to select a final practicum placement and I never enjoyed being on the floor. I wasn't sure if this was just because I was a student. I can now narrow it down a few things. This week, I found myself drawn more to the critical pt I had and yet I was constantly being pulled away by my other stable pts for requests of blankets, icecream cups or to chit chat. My buddy nurses seemed to be more concerned about me getting bed baths done vs. assessments. And then, the family of the critical pt wanted answers and I was constantly having to tell them..'well, we have to wait for the docs to get in' and then when they strolled in @ 11am, they gave myself and them all of 2 mins of their time.

I spoke to my CEF, who suggested going into ICU. I never really gave it much thought before this but maybe it might actually be the area I have been waiting for. I love the idea of knowing great deal about a smaller number of pts & emmersing myself in their care. I handle stress well and I loved my maternal child rotation the most and enjoyed the teaching aspects it allowed. I am trying to set-up a shadowing day to get the real feel of it and perhaps that will help me be able to decipher if my CEF was right b/c it is hard to know when the floor is all I have been exposed to.

[LoveANurse09]

You remind me of myself:) Sounds like ICU would fit, try to get in a shadow day! I loved NICU!