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Is Peds really for me?



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Feb 13, 2009 10:13 AM

Is Peds really for me?

by mcs1505

We're in our Peds rotation right now and I absolutely looooooooooooooooooove working with the 4-17 yo age bracket, but babies and toddlers not so much.
I was just offered a Peds ER job after graduation and really want to take it but it worries me that I'm not head over heels for all the age groups. (It's probably that I've had more exposure to 4+ yo because I used to teach preschool, be a camp counselor etc. But it still worries me.)

Is this "normal'? Do you have an age group you prefer to care for?

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14 Comments
No. 1
from Purple_Scrubs
Old Feb 13, 2009, 01:58 PM

Default Re: Is Peds really for me?
I think it is fine to have a preferred age group, as long as you can give competent care to all the age groups that you are responsible for. I prefer the same age group myself, which is why I am a school nurse. However, since I am the only medical personnel on campus I also have to care for adults (faculty, parents, visitors), as well as occasionally an infant or toddler younger sibling. I have even had a pregnant mom slip and fall! Not my favorite things to deal with and no, I do not feel 100% comfortable with them, but you get more comfortable the more exposure you have to caring for a certain age group. I say go for it!
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No. 2
from ChristineN
Old Feb 13, 2009, 02:15 PM

Default Re: Is Peds really for me?
I know exactly what you mean. I love peds, but the thought of working with babies all the time, doesn't excite me one bit. I found a compromise. I work on my pediatric hospital's adolsecent unit. I take care of kids 12-21. I will se the occasional toddler or baby as an overflow pt, but, as a rule, I see mainly teenagers. This is just perfect with me, as I'm much more comfortable with the teenagers.
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No. 3
from d2randh
Old Feb 14, 2009, 04:25 PM

Default Re: Is Peds really for me?
I always ask myself the same question. I am a third year nursing student (male). I was placed in an pediatric clinic and I llllooooovvveeed it, all the nurses were awesome. But the only question is, Are there lots of male pediatric nurses?.
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No. 4
from Purple_Scrubs
Old Feb 14, 2009, 04:40 PM

Default Re: Is Peds really for me?
Honestly, there probably are not as many male peds nurses. However, I think if you are passionate about this field, you would be an asset to it! Some of the male patients might open up to another guy sooner than a female nurse. I think you would find that you have a lot to bring to the table as a male peds nurse!
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No. 5
from 13goingon30
Old Feb 17, 2009, 03:34 PM

Default Re: Is Peds really for me?
see, i'm the opposite. i love the newborn to 12ish age group but the teens are kinda, well, i don't know so much how to deal with them. i'm considering PICU & NICU
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No. 6
from ChristineN
Old Feb 17, 2009, 03:40 PM

Default Re: Is Peds really for me?
Originally Posted by d2randh View Post
I always ask myself the same question. I am a third year nursing student (male). I was placed in an pediatric clinic and I llllooooovvveeed it, all the nurses were awesome. But the only question is, Are there lots of male pediatric nurses?.
Men in nursing, especially peds, are such an assest. The male patients love the male staff members, you can tell some of the boys really look up to them. Also, I like having a couple guys working on the floor as sometimes the teenagers can get a little out of hand, and it is sometimes easier for them to listen to a man.
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No. 7
from d2randh
Old Feb 17, 2009, 05:30 PM

Default Re: Is Peds really for me?
I was looking at some of the polls, on this website and found a large number of male nurses in peds. I was surprised. LOL.
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No. 8
from 13goingon30
Old Feb 17, 2009, 08:16 PM

Default Re: Is Peds really for me?
one of the children's hospitals here has several male RNs. they are fantastic! the charge nurses on the unit i spent my peds clinical are both guys and amazing nurses, i learned so much from them. the kids love them, and i enjoy having both genders in the workplace, large numbers of women can be so mean when we get together!
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No. 9
from RNKel
Old Mar 25, 2009, 05:22 PM

Default Re: Is Peds really for me?
Originally Posted by d2randh View Post
I always ask myself the same question. I am a third year nursing student (male). I was placed in an pediatric clinic and I llllooooovvveeed it, all the nurses were awesome. But the only question is, Are there lots of male pediatric nurses?.
I have a male nurse friend who graduated last year and he got a job at a large Children's hospital right after graduation. I saw plenty of male nurses when I rotated there, too.
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