[ER1010]

I am trying to make decisions on where I want to work when I graduate. I like a lot of different areas, but peds is up there on my list. However, I don't want to catch every bug out there. Do you oeds nurses bvget sick a lot?

[purplemania]

Every nursing unit, regardless of patient population, has it own set of germs. I worked peds several years and was sick only once - from a virus I caught by kissing the cutest little baby. So it was my own dumb fault. Missed only one day of work though.

[Super RT]

I work exclusively in Peds and spend the winter every year coughing and sneezing. I get sick every year! If being a pediatric nurse is what you want to do, the colds are just a small downside. In adults, you have to deal with huge diapers and lots more vomit. I would spend the entire year sick to avoid changing adult diapers. There is always something upleasant no matter what route you choose, it just depends on what you want to deal with.

[NessaNurse]

I'm a new peds nurse and I am sick ALL the time. I'v eheard from other nurses its very common to be sick pretty frequently for your 1st 1-2 years of peds. Oh joy. I never got sick from workin w pts in school but pedi kids have a nice way of coughing in your face and doing other things to infect you. Bronchitis, pink eye,. sinus infection, stomache bugs, I have it all. Right now the other nurses on the floor say, "tis the season to be hacking", because right about now everyone gets sick. And its not always your pts but sometimes thier siblings, parents, multiple visitors ect that get you sick.

[TNnurse05]

I have worked in the Peds Emergency Department for almost 2 years. I find that I got a lot of URI's when I first started working. However, I have found my immune system has strengthened the longer I work. Working in Peds has always been my dream, and I love it! So, a few colds and some coughing are well worth the benefits!!

[vamedic4]

Originally Posted by Super RT

In adults, you have to deal with huge diapers and lots more vomit. I would spend the entire year sick to avoid changing adult diapers. There is always something upleasant no matter what route you choose, it just depends on what you want to deal with.

DOUBLE HELL YES ON THAT ONE!!! Working exclusively in peds myself for 11 years has made me appreciate completely just how much I was "missing" with adults.
Seriously though...WASH YOUR DAMN HANDS. It's really simple. Take your scrubs off in the garage before you go into the house. Do whatever you can to keep from touching your face unless you KNOW they're clean. The simplest things can keep you from getting sick. Wipe your keyboard down with a germicidal wipe, your pen with alcohol, as well as your stethoscope. We can't prevent every germ from reaching us, but we can sure cut down on their numbers..and hence their ability to harm us
Just be careful....and wash wash wash wash wash.

Peds is the coolest...I enjoy it every night I go to work.

[MissJoRN]

The first year in peds can be tough... (I had my first and last ever strep throught that way) now I don't think there's a germ on the planet that can penetrate me! Seriously I had an RSV baby that I was carrying sucking her thumb and then pop her chubby hand in my mouth when I was talking... just another day at work for my immune system! Thank goodness... it's not like 3 annual sick days could cover us if we did get sick!!

[NessaNurse]

I usually get my bugs in the 1st few minutes w the kid and I get coughed in the face. If I even suspect sickness I wear a mask. If they have a trach I wear googles (learned that one the hard way, ew). Everyone at my hospital has said they were sick all the time for the 1st 2 years. Also I have asthma so I get URIs very easy (at least easier than most). I almost never got sick in nursing school either.

[themadscotsman]

Originally Posted by TNnurse05

I have worked in the Peds Emergency Department for almost 2 years. I find that I got a lot of URI's when I first started working. However, I have found my immune system has strengthened the longer I work. Working in Peds has always been my dream, and I love it! So, a few colds and some coughing are well worth the benefits!!

I work in a general paeds ward, mixture of medical and surgical. Whilst I got sick when I started my training (as every single nursing student did regardless of branch!) I don't really get ill that often now, and when I say ill (being a bloke!) I mean a sore throat or sniffles.

As MissJorn says watch out for wandering hands and Vamedic4 is ight, wash your hands!

[JEANJAVE]

I did not get sick...in fact my allergies went away when I worked with peds respiratory floor...just make sure you wear masks, wash your hands and build up your immune system...I used to work with adults, I don't miss that area...