"It's difficult to just be a nurse and not get attached and take things to heart--I'm still human. I know that this will be extremely difficult working with children, from infancy to adolescence, in the pediatric intensive care setting. While I've worked with pediatric patients in the inpatient hospital setting, I've never cared for them in an ICU setting. If things ever felt overwhelming to me in this role, I would take a quick breather, step aside, and get my feelings together. I would always try to remind myself that no matter what happens in a day, I am blessed to be able to be with people during some of the toughest times of their lives, knowing I can make a difference with one child and family at a time."

Prior to your PICU nurse interview, be sure to carefully read the job description and really reflect on what you foresee as a potential challenge from the day you would start on the unit. Answer openly and honestly, but be sure to talk about what you would see for a plan of attack in handling that challenge. Make sure your interviewer walks away knowing that you would still thrive, despite the initial challenge.