Adult med-surg to peds? Advice...

Published

Specializes in L&D, Cardiac/Renal, Palliative Care.

So I just graduated in May and am currently in an internship that required a two-year contract where I will be working on some type of adult med-surg floor (I'm thinking probably GI or renal). I have an interest in switching to a pediatric hospital at the end of my two-year contract. I have two questions: 1.) For anyone who has done this was it terribly difficult to make the transition either personally or professionally; 2.) Is there anything I could/should do during this time to make myself more appealing to that type of employer?

Just for clarification there is a moderate-high need for nurses in my area and I do have extensive experience working with children (lots of younger brothers and sisters, part of a foster family, volunteer as a nursery worker for the last 8 years & counting).

Thoughts? Advice?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi there! Congrats on the new job!

Here is a link to another thread I replied on on a similar topic. The items I mentioned about how to prepare are going to be identical to your situation.

https://allnurses.com/picu-nursing-pediatric/tips-for-moving-1169116.html

As far as the transition goes. I was in the same boat as you having worked on a StepDown Med Surg for 4 years... and I thought I have raised three kids piece of cake. While prior children experience is helpful, it does not fully prepare you for the experience of working with kids. I was not prepared for the difficulty of having to explain everything twice (once to the parents, and once in a way the child understands), and learning to deal with parents is a skill that takes years to master.

Always good to have dreams and goals, but these next two years for you will be exciting, stressful, challenging, rewarding and hard. Get a good foundation under you and you will be able to go wherever your dreams will take you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, Cardiac/Renal, Palliative Care.

Thank you! It is great to hear from someone who has btdt. I know that peds is a whole 'nother rodeo, but I am hopeful that my experience in the foster care world will give me at least a semi-solid foundation in dealing with parents. Actually, when I was in nursing school everyone told me I should go into peds and I always told them I didn't want to because of the parents...but I think that may be where my heart is...time will tell : _ )

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.

If you have professional experience working with children it will be an easier transition. If and when you get an interview just tell them that you worked in med surg for 2 years because it was a good opportunity as a new grad but that you know working with children is where you belong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric/Adult Oncology.

I am a previous adult medicine oncology nurse with my chemo/biotherapy admin certification. Maybe looking to transfer to a pediatric specialty such as med/surg will be a good start. Since I was new to peds the hospital I work for now had me in some residency classes with the new grad RNs to brush up on my peds knowledge. Look for new to peds jobs as most peds units have places or applications open for prior experience nurses. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 2/18/2019 at 3:55 PM, DiscGolfNurse said:

I am a previous adult medicine oncology nurse with my chemo/biotherapy admin certification. Maybe looking to transfer to a pediatric specialty such as med/surg will be a good start. Since I was new to peds the hospital I work for now had me in some residency classes with the new grad RNs to brush up on my peds knowledge. Look for new to peds jobs as most peds units have places or applications open for prior experience nurses. Good luck!

I’m in a similar boat with adult oncology experience hoping to get into peds. Best of luck to us both!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric/Adult Oncology.
7 hours ago, sergel02 said:

I’m in a similar boat with adult oncology experience hoping to get into peds. Best of luck to us both!

Any luck yet? I found a position on a peds heme/onc unit and I’ve been here for about a year.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 6/8/2019 at 6:56 AM, DiscGolfNurse said:

Any luck yet? I found a position on a peds heme/onc unit and I’ve been here for about a year.

No sadly. Been about 2 years. The peds unit is going through a lot of changes right now anyway with no manager or director. I took a new position in the hospital so we’ll see what happens in a year or two.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion