Winter 2023

While in nursing school, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to have my pediatric clinicals on a congenital heart unit. I was instantly drawn to the challenge of caring for this specialized population of patients and their families. I was attracted to the intensive acuity and unpredictability of congenital heart patients and the ongoing…

8 Ways to Thrive as a Cardiac ICU Nurse Nursing is a difficult profession and Pediatric Cardiac ICU nursing is certainly one of the most challenging specialties.  As a 30+ year nurse at the bedside, there are certain characteristics and commonalities that are consistent with long term, bedside nurses . . . you know, the…

What keeps you at the bedside or drives you to stay in your role? I absolutely love pediatrics, always have. I love the population, the patients, and the families. Kids are made of magic. They are inspiring, motivated, resilient, and innocent. Working in the CICU has given me a better understanding of what it’s like…

I can honestly say that I have stayed a bedside nurse for almost 32 years because I love what I do, and I know how much I can contribute to patient outcomes. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a nurse. I started my career in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit…

As an advanced fellow training in pediatric cardiovascular critical care, I am relatively new to the PCICS community, and this past conference in December 2022 was my first.  Overall, it was an excellent experience, both socially and professionally, and I finally understand why my friends and colleagues across the country have been so excited anticipating…

The 18th Annual International Meeting of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society in Miami Beach, Florida was, to say the least, outstanding. To have participated in person, as an International Nurse from a Low/Middle Income Country (LMIC) and after the pandemic, felt extra special. My hospital, CardioPedBrasil® Hospital de Criança e Maternidade in Sao José…

This past December, I had the opportunity to attend the 18th Annual International PCICS meeting and immediately noticed two things. Similar to most of my fellow attendees, my first impression was how refreshing it was to see everyone in person and (re)connect with colleagues from around the world. It was nice, after the last few…

I have been attending the PCICS annual conference for the past three years, and this year was a one-of-a kind gathering. I was filled with gratitude to be part of a medical community that prioritizes continuing innovation, collaboration, and exceptional care for the pediatric patients with congenital and acquired heart disease. Presenters and attendees reminded…