What is a PICU Nurse?
A PICU nurse, also known as a pediatric ICU nurse, provides critical care to young children who are seriously ill or injured. PICU nurses work closely with other healthcare professionals, including doctors, therapists, and social workers, to provide comprehensive care and support for their patients and families.
PICU nurses have the privilege of supporting children through some of their hardest moments and witnessing their strength as they heal. Even during short hospital stays (the average is about five days), PICU nurses often form strong bonds with their patients and families. For the children who stay longer, the connections they build with their nurses become a consistent source of comfort on their recovery journeys.
Keep reading to learn more about this challenging but rewarding career path, including key responsibilities and qualities of a PICU nurse, how to become one, how much they make, frequently asked questions, and more!
What Does a PICU Nurse Do?
PICU nurses manage a wide range of medical, surgical, and trauma-related conditions. Their typical day-to-day responsibilities include:
- Monitoring patient’s vital signs, such as blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate
- Following continuous cardiac and respiratory monitor readings, such as EKG tracings, O2 stats, and CVP/arterial line waveforms
- Tracking urine output, change dressings, insert catheters, start IVs
- Administering infusion therapy, including IV fluids, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and electrolytes, as well as high-risk medications such as vasoactive drips, sedation, analgesics, and paralytics
- Assisting with the insertion or discontinuation of CV catheters, arterial lines, external ventricular drains, epidural catheters, and endotracheal tubes
- Managing mechanical ventilation, CPAP, BiPAP, and other advanced respiratory support equipment
- Responding to medical emergencies with life-saving interventions, including CPR
- Collaborating with physicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and other specialists during rounds and care planning
- Providing education, advocacy, and emotional support to patients’ families
- Maintaining documentation, infection control, and patient safety standards
Qualities and Personality Traits of PICU Nurses
PICU nurses work in high-stress environments where they often care for multiple critically ill patients at once. Because of this, they must be able to stay calm under pressure and make quick decisions.
Other commendable qualities and personality traits of PICU nurses include:
- Compassionate and empathetic: The emotional aspect of care is a strong factor in this specialty. PICU nurses often develop close relationships with their patients and families due to the length of each patient’s stay. Oftentimes, they are the primary source of support for families during these difficult times.
- Effective communicators: These nurses need strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with other healthcare professionals and support the emotional needs of their patients and families.
- Fast learners: PICU nurses also need a high level of specialized knowledge and skills to provide effective care for their patients. This includes a thorough understanding of pediatric anatomy and physiology, as well as knowledge of common pediatric diseases and conditions.
- Detail-oriented and vigilant: Even the smallest change in a child’s vital signs can signal a major change in their condition. Because of this, PICU nurses need to be detail-oriented and respond quickly in potentially life-threatening situations.
- Resilient and emotionally in-tune: Working in the PICU can be both heartbreaking and emotionally intense. PICU nurses need to be compassionate, empathetic, and patient, as well as provide emotional support and guidance.
- Strong coping skills: It’s vital for PICU nurses to have both institutional support and personal coping tools, given the lack of structured support and the high risk of compassion fatigue in their roles. Common strategies include leaning on peer support, exercising, and nurturing relationships outside of work.
How to Become a PICU Nurse
To become a PICU nurse, you’ll first need to earn your nursing degree. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) usually takes about two years to complete, while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) typically takes four years. Many nursing schools also offer flexible options, such as part-time, evening, or weekend classes.
After completing your degree, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed as a registered nurse. Here are a few things to know about this step:
- You can schedule your exam as soon as you graduate and receive authorization from your state nursing board.
- Many new grads study for one to two months before taking the NCLEX (though the test itself is only one day).
- Once you pass, you’ll receive your RN license, which officially allows you to begin practicing.
Required Trainings and Certifications
Beyond an RN license, PICU nurses must also have the following certifications to work in this specialty:
- Basic Life Support (BLS): This certification is mandatory for all nurses before they begin working in any clinical role.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS): This certification is required in nearly every PICU setting. It trains PICU nurses to handle emergencies such as resuscitation, advanced airway support, and life-threatening pediatric conditions.
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS): This certification is also required for PICU nurses. It teaches advanced interventions for adult and pediatric cardiac emergencies, including managing arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and other cardiovascular issues.
Many hospitals also require nurses to have a certain amount of bedside pediatric experience before they can transition into a PICU role.
If you’re ready to make this transition or find your next role in PICU nursing, explore open jobs through Gifted Healthcare today, or apply to speak with a recruiter! We have a variety of PICU nursing positions available around the country, including travel and local positions.
Helpful Certifications for PICU Nurses
PICU nurses also benefit from obtaining the Pediatric CCRN, or Pediatric Critical Care RN Certification. This certification is offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). Nurses who receive it are considered to have advanced expertise in caring for acutely and critically ill children.
To be eligible for the CCRN certification, nurses need to meet the following requirements:
- Active RN license: Hold a current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license
- Clinical practice hours: Complete a minimum number of hours as a PICU nurse
- The first option is to complete 1,750 hours of direct care in the past two years, with 875 hours in the most recent year.
- The second option is to complete 2,000 hours of direct care in the past five years, with 144 hours in the most recent year.
- Practice setting: Hours must be completed in a U.S.-based or Canada-based healthcare facility, or a facility comparable to U.S. standards of acute/critical care nursing practice
- Application fee: This certification costs $255 for AACN members and $370 for nonmembers.
For detailed eligibility criteria and application information, visit the AACN CCRN (Pediatric) Certification page.
Additionally, PICU nurses benefit from obtaining the Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) and Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) certifications, which strengthen their ability to handle pediatric trauma and emergency situations.
How Much Does a PICU Nurse Make?
Based on averages from current and past PICU nursing jobs listed on Gifted Healthcare, pay typically ranges from $1,400 to $3,000 per week. However, rates vary by agency, position type—travel, permanent, per diem, or local—and location, with urban hospitals generally offering higher pay than rural facilities. Travel assignments also typically pay more than other nursing jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions for PICU Nursing
Where can you work as a PICU nurse?
PICU nurses primarily work in children’s hospitals and large medical centers with dedicated pediatric intensive care units. They can also work within specialized teams, such as pediatric transport or cardiac and transplant ICUs.
Find your next PICU nursing job through Gifted Healthcare.
How can I become a traveling PICU Nurse? What are the requirements?
In addition to the education and certification requirements for all RNs, most travel nurse agencies and hospitals require at least two years of recent PICU nursing experience before accepting travel assignments. Gifted Healthcare typically requires at least one year of experience in your preferred specialty.
Learn more about how to start travel nursing, including specific requirements, steps, and the benefits of this rewarding career path.
What are the working conditions like for a PICU nurse?
All nurses are under a lot of pressure, but it’s the intensive care unit (ICU) nurses who are on their toes all the time, as patients require constant care and monitoring. Due to these challenges, pediatric and neonatal ICU staff face higher rates of burnout. This is why it’s essential for them to develop coping skills, like mindfulness, peer support (at work and outside), and stress management/self-care techniques.
What are the career paths for a PICU nurse?
PICU nurses can grow into leadership roles such as charge nurse, nurse manager, or clinical educator. Others specialize in areas like pediatric cardiology, transport, or critical care research. With further education, PICU nurses can also become pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) or clinical nurse specialists (CNSs).
What is the difference between a PICU nurse and a NICU nurse?
NICU nurses care for newborn infants, or neonates, from birth up to 28 days old. They often work with premature and critically ill newborns. PICU nurses care for children from infancy up to 18 years old.
How long does it take to become a PICU nurse?
It can take anywhere from 3.5-6 years to become a PICU nurse, including schooling, studying for and passing the NCLEX, receiving your certifications, and gaining relevant nursing experience before transitioning to the PICU.
In most cases, you can't start in a PICU immediately after nursing school. PICU nursing is highly specialized, and hospitals typically require new nurses to have 1-2 years of general pediatric or medical-surgical experience before moving into a critical care setting.
Do PICU nurses make more money?
PICU nurses can earn slightly higher salaries than general pediatric nurses due to the advanced skills required and high-pressure environment they work in. Pay varies by location, hospital, and experience level, but critical care specialties generally offer competitive wages.
What organizations and specialty communities can PICU nurses join?
PICU nurses can join professional groups like the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN), the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), or the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). These organizations provide continuing education, networking, and resources to support career growth.
Find Your Next PICU Nursing Role Through Gifted Healthcare!
Gifted Healthcare provides healthcare professionals with exceptional, high-paying career opportunities, including PICU nursing.
We’ve earned recognition as a Best Travel Nurse Agency by The Gypsy Nurse, the world’s largest online community for travel nurses, and as a Top 20 Travel Nursing Company by BluePipes, the leading professional networking platform in healthcare.
Connect with a recruiter to join the Gifted Family today! Apply here.
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