Adult vs. Peds ER

Published

UPDATE: Changes: New Log In Requirement
Specializes in RN Student.

Hi everyone, I am soon to graduate nursing school. I am interested in Emergency care and was wondering if ADULTS or PEDS is better? I want to hear other's thoughts or experience before choosing.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED | CICU | SRNA.

I'd recommend going to a general ED so you can gain experience caring for both adult and pediatric populations. Then, when you know for sure which one you prefer, you can decide to transfer later.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

That is totally up to you, what population do you prefer?   What are your career goals?  

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN Student.
AnnieOaklyRN said:

That is totally up to you, what population do you prefer?   What are your career goals?  

I'm only in my associates, but my goal is to get into Family Practice or Emergency as an NP later on. As of now, I'm trying to look what experience could help. I have been a Peds Er Tech for about two years and I loved it, but since I've been in my nursing program the focus are more about adults & elders.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN Student.
Lipoma said:

I'd recommend going to a general ED so you can gain experience caring for both adult and pediatric populations. Then, when you know for sure which one you prefer, you can decide to transfer later.

If I choose general ED for residency, will transferring into PEDs ED be an easy transition or will I have to do a fellowship program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

I would go for the adult ED if you already work as a tech in the peds ED. Sure, it's not RN experience but it's still peds experience you can use if you want to transfer later. You'll lose a lot of your adult knowledge working only in peds and you will need it when you want to work with adults and kids. As the other poster said, ideally you would just work in a mixed ED that sees both adults and peds if you want to end up working with both.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED | CICU | SRNA.
ivychi said:

I'm only in my associates, but my goal is to get into Family Practice or Emergency as an NP later on. As of now, I'm trying to look what experience could help. I have been a Peds Er Tech for about two years and I loved it, but since I've been in my nursing program the focus are more about adults & elders.

Okay, so based on this, definitely go to a general ED to get the most rounded experience. Emergency NPs were expected to see all ages in the ED I worked at as an RN. Emergency Medicine is Family Medicine on steroids with a mix of critical care medicine. When patients don't see their PCP for whatever reason, they seek care in EDs. When the ED discharges patients, they tell them to follow up with their PCP/Family Provider.

Transferring from a general ED to a peds ED shouldn't be a problem because you'll have experience working with acutely ill patients of all ages. The only difference between adults and pediatrics is dosing, fluid planning, and developmental differences; other than that, it's the same focus. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion