Advice needed on becoming a burn nurse

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jun 6, 2006

At www.shrinershq.org , there are some fairly detailed job postings. For RN's in Boston, the positions I see all require or prefer prior experience. If you're in Boston though, you have access to some of the largest medical facilities in the US. Many larger hospitals offer nurse internship programs for their new hires. Although I don't see anything about that on the Shriners site, you might look at some of the other area hospitals to see if that's an option.

For now, I'd focus on doing well in school and keeping an open mind. Your second year will no doubt involve interesting clinical experiences. You might decide you like something even better than burns!

kellerpatty · Jun 8, 2006

Just graduated with ADN and was hired on in our area teaching hospital's Burn Unit. It's the only burn unit in a very wide radius and we're a level I trauma center. How did I get hired? I think my grades (good GPA) helped, as well as my age (40's), and long experience in the mental health field. I guess the biggest reason is because they thought I'd be a good fit. Didn't learn much about burn nursing in school (1 day rotation), but they assured me that I will be trained in everything I need to know. Good luck in your nursing career (and please wish me good luck in mine...I'm sure I'm going to need all I can get)!

RazorbackRN, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2006

[color=olive]hi, everyone!
[color=olive]i am starting my 2nd year in an asn program and i am very interested in burn nursing as a specialty. any advice from anyone about what i should be looking at/doing? i am hoping to get my msn fairly soon after the asn (probably with a bsn "bump" in the middle in a fast-track program). i know i need to get some experience, but what should i be looking for? has anyone ever heard of a new-grad rn starting out in burns right away? i am the boston area, and i would love to have a chance to train at shriners. is this even possible or doable? please check in with any/all advice, etc.
[color=olive]thanks in advance!

i'm one of 12 new grads that have just started in the burn unit at our state's pediatric hospital (it's the only burn unit in the state, so they take adult pt's too). i think it is going to be difficult at first because there is so much to learn, but it is a great teaching hospital and i think it will be so rewarding.

Brainyheart · Jun 9, 2006

Thanks, everyone! You give me hope that it might be possible. I know we get a special lecture or in-service on burn nursing this coming semester during peds, so I want to be ready to see what's available. Yesterday I visited the director of an MSN program, and they'll be starting a CNS component in September. I really want to try wounds/burns. I'd like to do kids and adults, but I don't think anyone with burns services (except Shriners) here in the Boston area will hire an ASN RN. Not that working at Shriners would be anything to sneeze at!!!

Thanks again. I'll keep checking for any advice anyne posts.

God's peace to all.