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As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to explore different parts of the country or even the world while pursuing your passion for nursing. One area of healthcare that is always in need of skilled and compassionate nurses is pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) nursing. In this article, we will dive into the world of PICU travel nursing, exploring what it is, what it entails, and the benefits of pursuing this career path.
What is PICU Nursing?
Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) nursing is a specialized area of nursing that focuses on the care of critically ill infants, children, and adolescents. Patients in the PICU may have complex medical conditions, such as respiratory failure, sepsis, and various organ failures. PICU nurses are responsible for providing 24/7 monitoring and care to these patients, administering medications, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, and educating families on their child’s condition and treatment plan.
What Does a PICU Travel Nurse Do?
A PICU travel nurse is a registered nurse who travels to different hospitals and healthcare facilities to work in PICUs on a temporary contract basis. These nurses are experienced in providing high-quality care to critically ill pediatric patients and are able to adapt to new environments and patient populations quickly. As a PICU travel nurse, you will be responsible for performing all of the same duties as a staff PICU nurse, but with the added challenge of working in a new environment with a different team of healthcare professionals.
What Are the Qualifications for PICU Travel Nursing?
To become a PICU travel nurse, you must first become a registered nurse (RN) and gain experience working in a pediatric intensive care unit. Typically, PICU travel nurses must have at least two years of experience working in a PICU setting. In addition to experience, PICU travel nurses must have an active RN license, be certified in basic life support (BLS) and pediatric advanced life support (PALS), and be able to adapt to new environments and patient populations quickly.
What Are the Benefits of PICU Travel Nursing?
PICU travel nursing offers a wide range of benefits to RNs who are looking to explore different parts of the country or the world while pursuing their passion for nursing. Some of these benefits include competitive pay rates, free or discounted housing, travel reimbursements, health and dental insurance coverage, retirement benefits, and the opportunity to gain valuable experience working in different healthcare settings. Additionally, travel nursing offers the flexibility to take time off between contracts to travel or spend time with family and friends.
FAQ
| 1. How long are typical PICU travel nursing contracts? | Typical PICU travel nursing contracts are 13 weeks long, but can range from 8 to 26 weeks depending on the facility. |
| 2. Do PICU travel nurses have the opportunity to extend their contracts? | Yes, many facilities offer PICU travel nurses the opportunity to extend their contracts or apply for permanent positions. |
| 3. What is the average salary for a PICU travel nurse? | The average salary for a PICU travel nurse is $1,600 to $2,200 per week, depending on the location and facility. |
| 4. What are some challenges of PICU travel nursing? | Some challenges of PICU travel nursing include adapting to new environments and patient populations, navigating different electronic medical record (EMR) systems, and building relationships with new healthcare professionals. |
Conclusion
PICU travel nursing is an exciting and rewarding career path for RNs who are passionate about providing high-quality care to critically ill pediatric patients. This specialized area of nursing offers the opportunity to explore different parts of the country or the world while gaining valuable experience working in different healthcare settings. If you are interested in pursuing a career in PICU travel nursing, be sure to research different agencies and facilities, gain experience working in a PICU setting, and obtain the necessary certifications and licenses to qualify for travel nursing contracts.