Hey y’all ☀️ I’m getting ready to graduate with my RN and I’m conflicted. If I’m interested in pedi icu, would you say start there or start in Peds then go to picu once I’ve gained experience? I here both so just hoping for more guidance. TIA 🩵

ICU! Your training will prepare you for the complex patients. Do what you love. ❤️

Go for it and start in pediatric ICU! You will learn so much and your skills will continue to grow and grow and grow! You learn everyday! Go for it!

When it came time to choose a specialty, I was scared of PICU but chose it for the reason that it is a very challenging specialty. PICU nurses are among the best as they have to acquire SO much knowledge ....care for a postop cardiac neonate one day, then a 9 yo in septic shock the next and then a teenager with a head injury the next .
Best decision i ever made

I suggest starting with pediatrics pre-op and post-op rotations, followed by a rotation in the pediatric ICU. This sequence will provide you with a smoother transition into a challenging training environment and allow you to develop your pediatric nursing skills effectively before entering a high-stress unit like the pediatric ICU.

Another option is to begin with pre-op/post-op rotations and then move to rotations in the pediatric emergency room or pediatric ambulatory care. A rotation on the pediatric floor may not offer all the necessary skills to prepare you for the demands of the ICU or ER.