How different is a pediatric CVICU versus an adult CVICU? (I have worked tele/med-surg and 1.5 years on an adult non-trauma ICU. My dream has always been level 1 CVICU but I’ve never considered peds until the opportunity is now presenting itself)
Hi. I’ve been a Cvicu nurse for 7 years. Started out as a new grad in Cvicu as well. I’m sure the med dosages are different and code cart calculations. The devices may be different based on size. Many peds patients have congenital issues you have to learn to treat and care for. Whereas most adults have modifiable illnesses. All the same context just different audience. Once you get to a level 1 facility with both peds and adult care, you’ll start being trained on heart transplants, lvads, ecmo, etc. Level 1s are intense. Not for the weak. I say Definitely apply to either one. You’ll love the specialty!
They are VERY different!! Pedi CV involves congenital birth defects and highly specialized surgical procedures to correct the specific defect. ie: ASD/VSD, patent ductus arteriosis, tetralogy of fallot, hypoplastic heart, and more. They are often associated with other genetic disorders seen at birth (such as Down’s syndrome) and have different assessment findings and different interventions for an emergency situation. Each disorder creates an abnormal blood flow so a baby may or may not present as dusky but simply have feeding issues.
Adult CV is HTN, dysthymia (Afib), CHF, MI, etc…. Degenerative and chronic disease processes and they have very large bowels. Ijs…
I have been a peds nurse for over 25 years and would not trade the experience! For cardiac, peds population has many different aspects from adults, including cardiac defects, common heart ailments, and open heart surgeries that are very different from adults and for very different reasons.
I work at Children’s Hospital LA. We have a world renowned cardiac center and surgeons as well as amazing cardiac unit nursing staff!
If you want peds cardiac, try us!
I have never worked with pediatric patients so i have no infor to offer.
