[4evrhisma]

Hi,
I'm looking into going to nursing school one day. I have a BFA in an unrelated field. I stopped working to take care of my son full time, who was diagnosed with Menkes disease. He spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital. He was followed at a pediatric genetic and metabolic clinic, as well as neurology and gastro and pulmonary. I am wondering if anybody works at a pediatric genetic clinic or a similar setting, and what kind of training you have? I want to work with children and their families that have been affected by a genetic and/or rare diseases like my son was, but wondering what would be the best way to go about it. I know a few programs have genetic nursing, and genetic subspecialties, perhaps one of those programs? Or would it be better to focus on pediatrics and focus more on the genetic part later? It's a way down the road, but I just want to make sure I'm on the right track. Thanks!

[pierce27rn]

I used to work at a hospital that had peds genetics as one of its subspeciality clinics. Most of the nurses who worked there started out as peds nurses(still are). I would think that getting some peds experience under your belt then followed by the genetics would be better to your practice so you would understand the medical as well as psycho-social after all they are kids first and formost who happen to have a genetic disorder. Best of Luck with your pursuit and your son, many of my co-workers have children with chronic illnesses and they are fantastic with the parents and kids because of their unique understanding of their situations. I'm sure you'll do great!!!!!!!!!