Dallas/Fort Worth Student, interested in Peds

[Erikab84]

I'm a student at UTA and applying for my BSN here soon. I REALLY want to specialize in pediatric orthopedics afterwards. Any tips on how to do that? I'm looking into the residency programs at Children's Dallas and Cooks Childrens in Ft Worth and am not sure which one was better. I'm in between the two cities so can go to either. On a separate note, how's the clinical rotation like for the AP BSN program at UTA? I'm a single mom and am wondering how I'll be managing that added scheduling requirement. Thank you!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

There's no nursing shortage in D/FW, despite what you may have heard. Peds is a popular specialty and several hundred new grads are applying for each residency position, making things fiercely competitive.

Once you graduate and earn your RN licensure, apply to both childrens' hospitals and get in wherever you can. Good luck to you.

[Erikab84]

Would volunteering at the hospital prior to applying for the residency be of any benefit? Since Cooks doesn't allow you to reapply if you don't get in, is there another way to get into peds? I've seen job postings require experience but I'm unsure how I'd gain experience as a new grad.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Would volunteering at the hospital prior to applying for the residency be of any benefit?

Working at the hospital as a tech, CNA, dietary aide, lab technician, or anything to get your foot into the door would be of more benefit than volunteering.

[Awesomocity0]

At UTA, you're going to do clinicals at Children's. If you do well in clinicals and really get to know and impress the managers, there's a pretty good chance they'll offer you a residency. When I worked at Parkland, we had girls come through in their final rotations who had already secured jobs at Children's before school was even done. The impression you make at clinicals mean a lot, especially when trying to land a competitive residency.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I agree with trying to get a tech job at your preferred hospital part time. Make a great impression there and at clinicals, and your chances are far better than anonymous new grad.