Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Spencer Rice. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Spencer, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear stories from your time in school/training/etc.

During my time at the University of Florida in nursing school, I felt incredibly supported and well-prepared for the transition into the professional field of nursing. The faculty and staff were deeply invested in our success, providing personalized guidance and numerous opportunities to get involved in hands-on learning experiences. From clinical rotations to mentorship programs, there was a strong emphasis on practical skills and professional development. This supportive environment, coupled with collaborative peer networks, gave me the confidence and tools I needed to move smoothly from the classroom into real-world healthcare settings.

Spencer, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m originally from Florida, where I attended the University of Florida and earned two bachelor’s degrees—one in health education with a focus on community health promotion, and the other in nursing. After graduating, I moved to Austin, Texas, where I’ve been working as a pediatric cardiovascular ICU nurse for the past two years. In this role, I care for critically ill children with congenital or acquired heart conditions, monitoring their vital signs and assisting with complex surgeries, all while supporting their families through these challenging times. Outside of work, I enjoy creating lifestyle content, sharing tips and experiences on various platforms, and love spending time with my dogs and girlfriend.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

To effectively manage a team and maintain high morale, it’s essential to foster a supportive and collaborative environment. Here are some key strategies:

1. Clear Communication: Keep communication open, transparent, and two-way. Make sure team members feel heard and that their feedback is valued.
2. Empowerment: Give team members autonomy and trust them with responsibilities. Empowering people to make decisions increases engagement and ownership of their work.
3. Recognition and Praise: Regularly acknowledge hard work and accomplishments, both privately and publicly. Positive reinforcement boosts morale and motivates team members to continue striving for excellence.
4. Personal Connection: Build rapport with your team by showing interest in their personal well-being. Understanding individual strengths and challenges helps create a more cohesive and supportive group dynamic.
5. Encourage Growth: Provide opportunities for professional development and learning. When team members feel they’re growing, they’re more likely to stay motivated and invested in their work.
6. Lead by Example: Demonstrate a positive attitude, resilience, and professionalism. Your leadership sets the tone for the entire team.
7. Work-Life Balance: Support a healthy work-life balance. Recognizing that your team has lives outside of work helps reduce burnout and maintains long-term morale.

By creating a positive, respectful, and growth-oriented environment, you’ll foster a motivated and engaged team that works well together.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Starting out your nursing career in the pediatric cardiovascular ICU (PCVICU) can be both incredibly rewarding and deeply challenging. As a new nurse in this highly specialized field, the learning curve is steep, and the demands are immense—both mentally and physically.

Role of a Pediatric Cardiovascular ICU Nurse:

PCVICU nurses care for critically ill children with congenital or acquired heart conditions. These patients often undergo complex surgeries, require constant monitoring of vital signs, and depend on life-saving interventions like ventilators, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), or continuous medications. Nurses in this role are responsible for:

• Administering medication and ensuring precise dosages for small, fragile patients.
• Monitoring cardiac function and interpreting subtle changes in heart rhythms and vital signs.
• Managing life support equipment such as ventilators and ECMO machines.
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team (doctors, surgeons, respiratory therapists) to develop care plans.
• Providing emotional support to families navigating the stress of their child’s critical illness.

Struggles of Starting Out in the PCVICU:

As a new nurse in this environment, the complexity of care can be overwhelming. You’re responsible for understanding advanced cardiac conditions, medications, and equipment, often under high-pressure, life-or-death situations. Mistakes can have severe consequences, so the need for accuracy and attention to detail is paramount. Furthermore, caring for critically ill children and witnessing the emotional pain of families can take a significant emotional toll.

Mental Effects:

• Emotional Strain: Constant exposure to critically ill children, some of whom may not survive, can lead to emotional exhaustion or compassion fatigue. It’s hard to detach from the emotional weight, especially when building bonds with patients and their families.
• Stress and Anxiety: New nurses often experience feelings of inadequacy or anxiety over making mistakes. The fast-paced, high-stakes nature of the PCVICU creates intense pressure to perform flawlessly.
• Burnout: Due to the emotional and mental demands, PCVICU nurses are at high risk for burnout, where they may feel drained or lose the sense of fulfillment in their work.

Physical Effects:

• Long Shifts: Nurses in the PCVICU often work long shifts, standing for hours, lifting and turning patients, and managing medical equipment, which can lead to physical exhaustion.
• Fatigue: The intensity of caring for such high-acuity patients can lead to physical fatigue, especially during back-to-back shifts or when faced with a high patient load.
• Sleep Disruption: Many nurses report difficulty sleeping after particularly difficult shifts, replaying scenarios in their heads or dealing with the emotional aftermath of a challenging case.

Despite these struggles, many PCVICU nurses find the experience to be deeply rewarding. The opportunity to help children and families through some of the most difficult times of their lives and see patients recover and thrive brings a profound sense of fulfillment. With time and experience, the challenges become more manageable, and the skills and resilience developed in the PCVICU carry over into other aspects of life and career.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/spencerbsnrn