You Know You're A *Pediatric* Nurse When

[BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN]

Having Phenergan Coughed back into my face and burning like Pepper Spray- yet having to act calm and smile wiping it away heading for sink- that's a fond memory, and a cute little booger too!:)

Yes, it helps to have the Spongebob and Dora Stickers! But, I have to say I was much more shocked by the maturity of the terminal and critical kids I worked with. The few that make my nerves bath in adrenaline are the minority(however I can't think of a scarier place to be for a child than an ER or any other part of the Hospital. Love my Pediatric Wards, just don't get to go there as much anymore since the Pediatric ER went away to a now General ED. Now mainly in the Clinic- but I would have to say 90% of the stress is not the kids- but that's another thread:)

[AloeBlox]

nicely written

[SNB1014, RN]

i remember a peds nurse helping my parents and i brainstorm "code words" to use for catheters after my vesicostomy/urinary diversion in first grade. she came up with "straws" and somehow weasled my parents into getting me my first purse (pink tie-dyed jean material with glitter and flowers....w/e it was '94 and fashion was odd) b/c i "surely needed something to hold them in while at school". she gave me a wink as if to say, don't worry kid, i'll help you get that purse!!

[rn_abbey]

I've never done any pediatric nursing, so this was great to read. Thanks for writing it up :)

[as_nurse]

"When you believe in magic and miracles...."

I have recently decided I want to go back to school to become a pediatric nurse and this post reminds me why I am dropping everything in my life to pursue that goal. Thank you for your passion and insight into the profession.

[Kdrenee]

I can't wait to be a peds nurse!! Thank you for posting this!!!

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

Just beautiful!!made me smile and my heart swell.... and im terrible with kids

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

This is really sweet. I always thought I might like PICU in nursing school and ended up in NICU as my one true love. However, I was excited when I first got to float to PICU initially and then knew that I could never do it.

I'm curious: How do you deal with the fact that most of the PICU patients are fresh traumas, chronics (comatose) that live there until they're 21 and go to an adult facility, or their parents abuse them?

I realize that some of our ex-preemies graduate to the PICU, but the majority of them turn out just fine. I just don't know how you guys do it!

Actually, *most* PICU patients are small children with respiratory issues who recover fairly quickly and go home. Many of our chronics are actually very interactive and have families that love them to pieces. And those fresh traumas come back to visit us months later walking, talking and ready to go back to school. Our cardiacs may have been so sick the ECMO fairy flitted around their beds for days, but most of them do well in the end.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Actually, *most* PICU patients are small children with respiratory issues who recover fairly quickly and go home. Many of our chronics are actually very interactive and have families that love them to pieces. And those fresh traumas come back to visit us months later walking, talking and ready to go back to school. Our cardiacs may have been so sick the ECMO fairy flitted around their beds for days, but most of them do well in the end.

I agree! Most of out PICU patients have respiratory problems or congenital heart defects.

My favorite part of peds ICU nursing is discharging a formerly critically ill patient - and knowing they have another 60-70 YEARS ahead of them. It's a beautiful thing!

[Lyndsay1983]

Thank you for this!! I am a new grad and I can't wait to be a pediatric nurse!! I feel like a racing horse waiting for the gate to open.

[violetgirl]

What a wonderful read! Thank you for putting a smile on my face today. I used to work in special education and just loved it there in the classroom... Maybe Peds is my future? Thanks again!

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

Thanks for sharing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and it made me giggle.