[stardogdaisy]

I have been a nurse for the past twelve years. During my career, I have only taken care of adults. I have been contemplating changing my career path to pediatric nursing. I feel like I need a change and some rejuvination in my career. Is there anyone who can give me some advice? It would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

[DDRN4me]

first, start reading some continuing ed pediatric literature. Kids are not just little adults. there are definitely some differenced in their care!

then think about what area of pediatrics you would like to work in many pediatric specialty hospitals will hold open houses and allow you to sign up to follow a nurse for a day; would give you a little insight into that area.


good luck!!

[PedsRN1991]

I did adult med-surg for 2 years before I changed to peds.
If you are looking for a change...change. Kids aren't little adults, and they have different problems. If you are an experienced RN...you will catch on. Get a Harriet Lane, do some research...and then go for it.
I love peds.

Good Luck!!!

[stardogdaisy]

Thank you both for your advice. I do understand that children are not little adults, as I have four of my own. I am spending some time researching pediatric nursing care, and will check to see if the facility that I am looking at offers an open house or "shadow a nurse day." Could either of you tell me what it was that led you to pediatric nursing? Thank you again.
Stardog

[Lucy4]

I was a peds nurse for almost 10 years and returned to caring for adults 10+ years ago. Loved peds for many years and then became very burned out - for multiple reasons. I worked at a well respected children's hospital and cared for children who were very ill (hem-onc, solid organ transplant, long term complications of prematurity, etc) with many chronic medical issues. Very easy to over step professional boundaries. Pediatric nursing is not only caring for children but for the family - family centered care concept. Just something to consider. Good Luck!

[MommyandRN]

Bumping this discussion... I too am exp with adults but want to switch to peds. OP did you end up changing and how did it go?

[catfish1]

I was an LPN for 15yrs. working mostly LTC/S.N rehab. Now I'm an RN(since May of this year)and still trying to decide what area of nursing to try. I know being a pediatric nurse is about more than loving children. What kind of person makes a great pediatric nurse? I did a clinical rotation at a pediactric hospital while in school and took care of a child who was in a vegatative state. When I left that evening I cried all the way home and could'nt wait to hug my kids. The little boy was my daughters age. Is this a sign I may have difficulty being a pediatric nurse? Thanks for any replies or suggestions.

[Ibenell]

I have been a pediatric nurse for almost 3 years. I love it. You need to have a true passion for pediatric nursing- there are many days that you will come home completely beat up, feeling like you were unable to make a difference in a child's life. There are so many different dynamics in pediatric nursing that you will learn with time. The family is always looked at in every situation. There are also times where CPS is involved. There are some days that emotionally draining. With all of that being said, I would work in no other age group. I love what I do. One little smile from a baby or teenager can make you whole entire day worth all the hard work. Just remember though, it is hard to not get attached in pediatrics.

[janfrn]

Originally Posted by catfish1

What kind of person makes a great pediatric nurse?

As the previous poster said, a passion for children and families is really important. (You can't separate the child from the family, even in cases where CPS is involved because there will be family members who aren't the 'bad guys' who love that child.) Knowing yourself and your reactions to different situations is also really important. If you can't imagine holding down a screaming and struggling child for an IV start, then maybe peds is not for you. But if you CAN imagine holding the child and telling him a story that will distract his attention a little while someone is starting an IV, then you're already halfway there.

Originally Posted by catfish1

I did a clinical rotation at a pediactric hospital while in school and took care of a child who was in a vegatative state. When I left that evening I cried all the way home and could'nt wait to hug my kids. The little boy was my daughters age. Is this a sign I may have difficulty being a pediatric nurse? Thanks for any replies or suggestions.

Quite the contrary. I think that when we stop feeling in those sorts of situations, we've lost our edge. Abuse is very low on the list of things that may cause a child to be vegetative; imagine your grief if that was your child and then decide how you'd appreciate being offered compassionate and loving attention for your child and yourself. No matter how severely damaged a child is, there will always be someone who loves that child more than they love life itself. If you let that guide you you can't really go wrong. But at the same time we have to be able to leave all that at work. There will be children who crawl into your heart and families that become friends, and that's okay, but you still have to be able to separate working relationships from personal ones. If you think that will be a problem, or if you find that you're continually thinking about certain patients after you've been working for a while, then you'll know that you're not in the right place for you.

Pediatric nursing is perhaps even more of a calling than nursing in general. If you have that tug on your heart, listen to it.

[rachiee]

Thanks Janfrn!
I am a real softie but i enjoy looking after kids. I just work on the basis that even tho it mite be sad, at least u know ur helping them :P