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Help! I want to become a pediatric Nurse.



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Sep 02, 2009 01:17 AM

Help! I want to become a pediatric Nurse.


I just graduated nursing school this May and did my preceptorship on a pediatric med-surg floor and I fell in love with it. I love children and find growth and developement absolutley fasinating. It is the only area of nursing that I am truly passionate about and can see myself doing it for the rest of my life. I did interview for position on the floor after graduation and unfortunately I did not get one of the few positions avaliable, even though I felt like I was well like by the staff and had a letter of recommendation from the charge nurse on the floor who really like me. I was completely crushed when I found out I did not get the job and it is the only childrens hospital in my area. I looked all over my state for a posible position elsewhere with no sucess. I did get a position on and adult med-surg floor that I will be starting in a month, but as my start date nears I am feeling extremly anxious and fearful that I will go to work every day and hate my life. I have been trying to remain poitive and hopeful that it will be a different experience working with adults now that I am on my own. I know jobs are few and far between now with the way the economy is so I figured any experience is better than no experience at all, and everyone says that you should do med-surg first, but I feel like this is old fashioned. Does anyone have any advise about how I can transition into pediatrics after I have a year of med-surg experience??? Or any advise on what I can do in the mean time to keep up on my pedi skills. I really want to go back to school to become a PNP but I need at least a year of experience before they will look at me. Help!


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3 Comments
No. 1
from pedirn1
Old Sep 06, 2009, 12:40 AM
Updated Sep 06, 2009 at 12:58 AM by pedirn1

Default Re: Help! I want to become a pediatric Nurse.
Right now I would definately take the job with the economy being the way it is. I graduated a little over a year ago and got a peds job in a children's hospital right out of college (I now realize how lucky I am). The experence you will gain from med/surg will be very benifical to you. Of course always be on the look out for peds jos but I think you will be in a much better position to be hired once you get that critical one year experience behind you.
I would also look into volunteerig at a childrens hopspital. Its a great way to sort of 'get your foot in the door' to network with people who may be interested in hiring you. This is how one of our volunteers got hired on recently. SHe was an RN who volunteered to feed babies or just spend time with them on her days off. She was doing adult med/surg but peds was her calling.
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No. 2
from llg
Old Sep 06, 2009, 11:48 AM

Default Re: Help! I want to become a pediatric Nurse.
I agree with pediRN1. Get whatever experience you can get and keep working towards your long term goal by working with children in whatever capacity you can (e.g. volunteering, perhaps picking up a peds home health client on a part time basis after getting settled into your med/surg job, etc.) You might also network by attending regional educational programs targeted to pediatric nurses to meet nurses in the field.

In time, there will be some peds opportunities that you can apply for -- and with your strengthened experience and professional connections, you'll have a better chance of being hired. Sometimes we don't get everything we want right away: sometimes we have to wait a little longer that we'd like. But if you keep moving in that direction, eventually, you'll get there.
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No. 3
from PediMommy
Old Oct 03, 2009, 10:13 PM

Default Re: Help! I want to become a pediatric Nurse.
Definetly take the job you have been offered. Go into it with an open mind and take it as a learning experience to get you where your going. Keep your eyes open for openings on the pedi floor and see if you can transfer once your time is up.

I understand you love for peds. I can't imagine doing anything else!!!

Good luck in your new job.
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