A new venture!

[NeoPediRN]

I worked on a tiny 7 bed pedi unit for 8 months and we never had more than 3 beds at a time filled. We also took med-surg overflow and floated to postpartum when there were no pedi patients in order to keep our jobs. I loved it but it lacked intensity. In order to make up for the intensity I worked as a charge nurse on a 12 bed pediatric psychiatry unit that took ages 4-17. Woah baby, definitely intense. I've worked there for the past 16 months and love it. I also recently did a smidge of hardcore adult med-surge and didn't like it a bit. As of January 11th I'll be making a huge career change and I'm so excited! I just got offered a job at a pediatric rehabilitation hospital. I'll be working with babies who need vent weaning, help feeding/growing, who are withdrawing from drug addiction, who are failure to thrive, and who have various illnesses. I'll also work the pediatric rehab side with brain-injured children, pedi oncology, pulmonary rehab, surgery recovery, and special needs. I absolutely can't wait. This is why I wanted to be a nurse! So happy to join you all. :heartbeat

[noreenl]

Congratulations!!! Isn't it nice to go to work everyday at a place you want to be?

[jmsnkids]

Hi SaraBeth, So happy that you are eager to join us long timers peds nurses! I joined the ranks as a CNA in 1980 and then as an RN in 1983. I've worked in ambulatory peds, PICU, NICU, discharge planning, parent and staff education, PALS instructor, and now, the best--a peds palliatve care nurse at the nation's only freestanding facility for kids needing respite, palliative and hospice care. It's in northern California and we serve kids from all over the country and even outside the US Check it out at http://www.georgemark.org. I truly love my job and it is my desire to live out my career there. Good luck to you and your new venture!

JeanMarie

[NeoPediRN]

Jms, that's amazing. I've heard of your facility, actually. We have something out in MA called Pedi Pathways, it's a pediatric palliative care and hospice program, but it's outpatient. I've been trying to get in there forever, but there's a waiting list just to volunteer! I hope to work in pediatric oncology someday, as well as pedi hospice. I find that particular area very rewarding. During my nursing clinical, I had the chance to spend 7 weeks with a young girl who had an inoperable brain tumor and allergic reaction to her chemotherapy. I learned so much about love and life in those 7 weeks, it was incredibly enlightening. I'm so thrilled that the hospital I'm going to work at does get oncology patients. They are resilient and inspiring.