NICU and PICU all the time

I have absolutely thrived working in the NICU and PICU this week. I love the children and itsy bitsy babies. The NICU is a whole different world to me... a few more decimal points, a lot more numbers, tiny medical equipment, and lots of nipples and milk. The needs of these patients are innumerable. Each case is so unique. Yesterday I only saw 5 babies, and it took the entire day to estimate their needs, change orders, and address other nutrition concerns. One of the aspects I love about the NICU is that the patients always keep you on your toes. Each day babies grow and their needs change. Thus, every patient you see has to be reevaluated and calories and formula orders re-written. I've enjoyed the challenge.

The PICU has proved to be similarly intriguing. We have a few extremely challenging patients whose needs are difficult to determine. At one moment they are gaining weight, then losing, then constipated, then producing emesis, etc. Today I worked on one of these patients for a few hours evaluating his previous needs and TF orders and trying to establish his fluid needs and caloric needs... and talking with nurses, MDs, parents.... I felt like I learned so much with just one case.

With all that said, I think I have found my niche -- pediatrics. I like the challenge and the changes... and the sweet faces.

Rachael