Advice Appreciated!

Congratulations on a great career choice. Challenging question, but I think for me it would be to realize after you learn all you can in school, another essential type of education is going to start as soon as you get your first job and are taking new responsibility for patients. Don't be surprised if you wonder why nursing school didn't fully prepare you (it can't -- human lives are too unpredictable), don't expect the learning experiences will ever be over, and don't hesitate to ask your fellow nurses for their opinions and to share their experience with you. At that first job, find a nurse you admire and learn from him or her. School gives you the knowledge, but experience in nursing is key.

Aloha, and best wishes, Sue Salisbury, Maui Hawaii

Thank you so much!

My advice would be to NOT go into school with the goal of being a peds nurse. You tend to limit yourself that way- thinking perhaps "Well, I'll just do what is needed for med-surg since med-surg is not what I'm REALLY interested in..."

Go in with the goal of being open to ALL that nursing has to offer. Best wishes to you

That is good advice. I can see how it could limit your options and close off doors; I will keep in mind that being open minded is the best route. Who knows- I could end up somewhere totally different! Thank so much!

Use the learning objectives as your guide for what to read. You will not have the time to read every single thing on the schedule. You will have to prioritize what is important. Just as an aside to what someone else already said, PEDS was the LAST place I wanted to be during school. Guess what, I am working with pediatric patients and I have found I actually enjoy it more than the adults. So, you just never know. Open yourself to all the experiences offered and never say, "never". Good luck.

My suggestion would be to get experience working with children NOW. When I was in high school, I was an aide in a preschool summer school program. In college, I worked as a substitute teacher and a bus monitor for a child with severe autism. I also volunteered at camps for children with various illnesses (cancer, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy).

So far I have volunteered at a children's summer camp for the past six years (working with disadvantaged children) and have worked part-time as a nanny for four families (worked with children 7months to 14 years). Is that a good start? Thanks!

Prioritize readings though learning objectives and keep an open mind. Got it :) Thanks!