PCT Going from Med-surg to Peds

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Am I crazy?! I have six months left in nursing school and have decided to leave the 37 bed cardiac/med surg unit I've worked on for the last 13 months and transfer to a 17 bed pediatric hem/onc unit. I've never worked peds before, and have yet to do the peds rotation in school, yet am willing to give it a try.

Anyone else switch aid specialities while in school?

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I wasn't working while I was in nursing school, however, pediatrics would be a nice place to start since you will eventually be taking peds, anyhow. But, let me ask, do you really wish to make a drastic change this late in nursing school? I found that I was under the worse stress on the last leg of nursing school and would not have wanted to make any changes elsewhere because I have to learn that area, attend classes as well as clinicals in addition to studying.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
I wasn't working while I was in nursing school, however, pediatrics would be a nice place to start since you will eventually be taking peds, anyhow. But, let me ask, do you really wish to make a drastic change this late in nursing school? I found that I was under the worse stress on the last leg of nursing school and would not have wanted to make any changes elsewhere because I have to learn that area, attend classes as well as clinicals in addition to studying.

Well, honestly, yes. I realize that it will be somewhat stressful making this change, but I did just purchase 40 hours of additional time off (hoping that I will use it if I need it). I am worried about school, I starting critical care next week, but I have bills to pay, and I think that I will have a better work environment at children's.

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Will you be working at Children's Hospital? If it will mean a better work environment, then I would think it would be a good switch to make.....possible with LESS stress than where you are now. In addition, since you haven't done your peds rotation, this will help you when you do. Try to think of the positives .........I think you will be fine.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Will you be working at Children's Hospital? If it will mean a better work environment, then I would think it would be a good switch to make.....possible with LESS stress than where you are now. In addition, since you haven't done your peds rotation, this will help you when you do. Try to think of the positives .........I think you will be fine.

Yes, I'll be working at children's hospital of Pittsburgh. Although the unit is pediatric oncology which in itself can be stressful, they only have capacity for 16 patients, half cribs half beds. I currently work on a 37 bed med surg unit and it is not uncommon for me to be taking care of 20 patients of varying levels of accuity at a time.

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