Pediatric Position help

shadowness · Dec 19, 2012

Ill give you the same advice I give other fellow grads of mine. Get your name out there. Get the word out there with family, friends, colleagues, professors, internet; anyone and everyone is fair game. You'd be surprised at how random a job might come up at times. I've met people at family parties who have helped me at least get an interview. Once you lock up an interview, dress well, speak well and really be vocal about your admiration for peds. If people see your enthusiasm, they will be impressed. Do what I've told you and you will be 3 steps ahead of 95% of new grads with 0 personality/social skills.

peterm2 · Dec 19, 2012

I am in the same boat. I will definitely take your advice. I have been asking around to see if anyone knows anyone within that field. It is difficult but I am not giving up. I want to start in Peds and remain in Peds. Hoping for that first interview.

I also think having some certifications related to Peds might help me so I signed up for some. NRP and PALS and so forth. Do you think this is a good start? Is there anything else that I should be doing?

shadowness · Dec 19, 2012

Everyone has their opinion on getting certs early. I feel like it can either help or not do much but it can't hurt you. Nothing else you should be doing that I can think of. How long have you been looking?

owlRN01 · Dec 19, 2012

I started in Peds home heath which made me a little uncomfortable as a new grad but I believe it is what landed me my job in the children's hospital. I only worked in home health for 2 months before starting my position in the hospital.

I also volunteer at camps for kids and stuff like that. See if you can get a volunteer position in the Peds unit at your local hospital. Show that you care and get to know the nurses and staff. That could lead to something :) I wish you luck! I felt like I won the lottery when I got my peds position!! Something will come along for you too.

lvnv0624 · Dec 20, 2012

I started in Peds home heath which made me a little uncomfortable as a new grad but I believe it is what landed me my job in the children's hospital. I only worked in home health for 2 months before starting my position in the hospital.
I also volunteer at camps for kids and stuff like that. See if you can get a volunteer position in the Peds unit at your local hospital. Show that you care and get to know the nurses and staff. That could lead to something :) I wish you luck! I felt like I won the lottery when I got my peds position!! Something will come along for you too.

I actually have 2.5 years of nursing experience and graduated from our hospital program, I also know several important people in the hospital as well. I worked a year of med-surg and now I'm a Director at an assisted living facility. I'd say that's a pretty good start. Maybe I'll start volunteering some.

owlRN01 · Dec 21, 2012

Yeah sounds like you already have a really good start and contact with some key people. I would just let those people know what you want because someone may be able to help you get there :) I guess I thought you were a new grad...

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 21, 2012

Get some volunteer experience working with children -- preferably in a health care context, but any experience is better than none.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Dec 21, 2012

My first Peds job was in a long term Peds facility. It was like a nursing home for chronically ill kids. Obviously not every area has one of these. But for me, It was a great way to start.

Are you already an RN? If not (or even if you are), try to get your foot in the door as a volunteer at a children's hospital, or Peds unit.

Or you can try a camp nurse job. I have done that for many years. It is a good way to get used to communicating with children, and boning up on your developmental stages :)