day in the life of a PEDS rehab nurse?

[IHeartPeds87]

I am trying to learn about different nursing specialties...I worked as an aide in a rehab facility and really enjoyed it...though I would have preferred working with kids so that got me thinking of pediatric rehab. Any seasoned nurses out there that would give me a glimpse at "a day in the life of a peds rehab nurse?"

Thanks!

[nurse35504]

Hi WANT2BANURSESOON,

I am currently working as an RN in a Peds Rehab unit in a local Regional Rehabilitation Center in North Carolina. In fact, I'm writing this to you during an unusually quiet shift tonight on Night Shift. I've been here for about 2 years. I've worked in other hospitals in pediatrics, such as smaller hospitals and also a Childrens Hospital in the past. But, this is the first time I've worked in a Rehab Center. I like it very much. We are a small floor, with a max bed capacity of 8. But, we can be very busy at times. We have a small number of staff, but because of that we work together well as a team. We get infants, all the way up to 18 year olds. The diagnoses that we see are children with dwarfism and other inherited problems, heart problems leading to disability, juvenile diabetes, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, shaken baby syndrome, gun shot wounds, car accidents, traumatic brain injuries, etc. Occasionally we get a child who is stable on a vent. We might see Aspen Collars, HALOs, various splints, intermittent caths for neurogenic bladders, etc. Hope this info helps! Good luck! nurse35504 :>)