Med/surg or peds?

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hi everyone! I'm going to be finishing up my Associate's degree in December and am starting to think about where I can work. I'm a second degree student; I have a BA in family and child studies, and I went to nursing school because I absolutely love working with children - newborns, toddlers, school-age, adolescents.. All of it!!! My dream is to be a pediatric nurse.

Here's my question: how essential is it to start my career on a medsurg floor? I seriously almost dread going to clinicals on the medsurg floor. I'm worried I won't excel there or will end up hating nursing!!! Is it a terrible idea to look for a job in peds?

Any input would be helpful!! Thanks :)

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.

I feel that medsurg is best for anyone to start off in, unless you know you want to stick to a particular specialty forever(OR, etc).

You are still a floor nurse, which(If you ever go to adults). Many skills will carry over.

just my 2c. I am still a new nurse.

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Like you, I knew where I wanted to be and I skipped med surg and accepted a job in L&D. I don't think that med surg is a necessity, but in some markets that is the only floor that will hire a new grad. Every one of my classmates who has gotten a job is either on med surg or ICU except me and two at a peds hospital, and those two (as well as me) had connections on those floors.

My advice is to apply where you want to be, but also apply on med surg floors just in case it is all you can get to start.

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Thanks for your response! Yes, I am going to take whatever I get - I don't want to be picky!! But it's good to hear that it worked out for you. Thanks again!

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Thanks!! Yeah, I can't see myself working anywhere but peds or maternity. But I do think you're right, the experience in medsurg is great no matter where you end up. Thanks again!

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

I've heard it's actually easier to tradition from Peds to adults (if you decide too) rather than adults to Peds. No clue if there is any truth in that but it seems to make sense.

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.

It is not true that "every nurse needs to start in med/surg". If you know what specialty you want to work in, there's no need to do adult med/surg. I went straight into Peds after school. If I had been forced to do med/surg, I would have found a new career. I can't stand working with sick adults.

If, however, it comes down to med/surg or no job, take the med/surg job. You can always transition to your preferred specialty later.

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