Need career advice please

Nurses New Nurse

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Specializes in New PACU RN.

hello,

so, i'm a new grad, just having completed 6 months in my gen surg job. on my floor - there are 4 designated peds beds. recently a few peds trained nurses have transferred off the floor. the educator has told our floor that we would all be cross-trained to peds.

i'm not sure how i feel about this. i have less than a year of experience and peds scares the hell out of me. i can see where it would be a great opportunity - but it really frightens me.

what do you think? do you think it's a good idea and just take the opportunity? or talk to the educator and let her know about my concerns and decline? i just don't like the idea of the wide range of vs in peds - i would think it would be confusing. and anxious parents. and drug calculations. but the biggest thing is that i've only had about 3 days of peds clinical in school - and even then we hardly did anything.

did any med-surg nurses go into peds? how was it? what was the most challenging thing?

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I'm a CNA but I'm going to chime in anyways….

If you would ever want to work in ER, this experience would look awesome on your resume!

Also, I would talk to your manager about stipulations regarding being cross-trained to peds. For example, I would not take care of peds pts and adult pts on the same shift if say the charge assigned you 2 peds and 2 adults.

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Specializes in PACU,Trauma ICU,CVICU,Med-Surg,EENT.

Hi, I think kool- aide has given great advice. In addition,because I am a huge proponent of the immense benefit of a solid med-surg background-I would continue absorbing all that great clinical experience while orientating to pediatrics.I'm assuming you would have a preceptor/mentor to assist and that you would refuse any assignment you felt unprepared to competently handle. In the big picture- you never know the doors it may open- not to mention the potential sense of pride you may feel for a challenge accepted.Broaden your base & all the best!

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Specializes in ICU.

Don't be afraid of pediatric patients. On a medical-surgical floor they will not be on vents or critical meds. Probably just fluids and abx. I imagine a parent will be with them at all times. I was terrified of kids in the beginning, then I went from adult critical care to a pediatric ICU and absolutely loved it. In many ways, it is actually easier to take care of kids; they don't live to ring the call bell, they don't beg for pain med every 15 min!

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Specializes in ICU.

I used Betty Gahart's drug book as my bible in pediatric ICU. If you don't have a good ped med book, get your unit to buy one to keep on the floor. You really do need to double-check dosages for your meds, even if the pharmacy has done this for you. Pediatric floor patients are not usually on very many meds, tho.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

My two cents about peds:

I believe peds is as specialized an area as oncologoy/ICU/ER/LTC. They aren't just little adults, everything about their physiology is different. You either want to be that nurse or not.

On some nights, the weight of being responsible for the lives of seven adults whose lives are half over, is overwhelming.

Being responsible for the lives of those whose life has just started is something I don't want to do. Ever.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

I'm personally a big fan of being exposed to as many different experiences a possible and to not be afraid to learn new things. You never know where the experience might help you out. I bet you were nervous when you started with adults.

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I went to a peds unit right out of nursing school and loved it...Anyway, If there only 4 beds for peds on the unit, I would guess that these are not a high acquity cases...my guess would be that the really sick kids are sent somewhere else...this would probably be the best way to "get your feet wet" in Peds.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Take every opportunity that's given to you to learn new things.

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Specializes in New PACU RN.

Thanks for the replies. I have to think about it - I have a month do do so. I'm leaning towards taking the offer though. :)

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho, Acute Care Rehab.

Good luck if you decide to take it...I'm sure you'll be great...:)

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