Which unit to choose....

[madisand]

Hi I am in my second year of nursing school and want to precept in pediatric next year. I'm not sure which type of pediatric unit I am interested in though. I enjoyed oncology, but I like the idea of the experience of PICU. I also like cardiac floors and neuro. What units do you work in and what do you enjoy about them? As a new grad is one unit better to focus on if possible? Thank you for your help.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

I would try for PICU as it will give you a bit of everything

[nursemcsleepy, BSN, RN]

Try for PICU. You'll have a lot of hem/onc patients, and a good mix of others so you can learn as much as possible.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I also recommend PICU for your preceptorship. Many ICU's only hire new grads if they have that sort of experience -- and if you have the chance to get that experience as a student, you should take advantage of the opportunity. Even if you decide not to pursue PICU as a new grad, that experience may help you get a job in a PICU later.

Also, choosing PICU won't hurt you much in getting a different job as a new grad if you decide you don't want to start out in PICU as a new grad. If you decide to pursue a neuro, hem/onc, etc. pediatric unit as a new grad ... they are likely to look at your PICU preceptorhship experience as a good thing, not a bad thing. Just say that you didn't like it as much as you thought you would because you want to care for kids that are more interactive than most PICU patients -- and that you would rather work on a peds unit like the one you are applying to.

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

I would want to spend my time on a general peds med/surg floor. I have worked on the floor for my entire career (I could go to PICU, but have no interest) - and have learned SO MUCH. Seen diseases that I never even knew existed. Especially if you are in a larger urban area with a large children's hospital! It's a great place to get grounded, learn, and then from there you can go anywhere. :) Good luck.

[pcicurn7]

Well what do you really want to do? Do you want to see a lot of different things, or do you love cardiac or Neuro enough to specialize in it? I went into a cardiac PICU as a new grad via an internship program. Worked out well for me. Neuro and onc were never my thing.