Advice, Seasoned RN going into pediatrics!

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I have been a nurse for over 10 years. I am finally going to work for one of the nations very best children's hospitals on Monday. I have no peds experience, and have been doing MDS assessments in LTC for the past year or so!

Any advice on what to expect or where I can brush up on my peds info?? I do not even know the vs range for kids!!

I am very smart and will catch on quickly. The only peds experience I have is from over 10 years ago, a few clinicals at the same hospital!

Thanks For The Help!

Becca

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Specializes in PICU/NICU.

Don't worry, if you are going to a national leader in Peds care you will receive a good orientation! They will make sure of it!

That being said.... I suggest brushing up on your "norms" for vitals, and basic calculations- we do TONS of calculations everyday because every med is based on weight.(I was shocked after 10 years with kids and I took ACLS and found out they give" liters of this" and "amps of that" to those adults!)lol.

Remember you ABCs--- almost ALL peds pts get into trouble because of AIRWAY! Take a PALS class right away even if your employer does not require it for 6 months- you will learn so much including nice little formulas for weight estimation and estimates for tube sizes ect.

Also.... go out and buy a copy of the latest Harriet Lane! The best ped resource book out there- I swear!

Good luck to you and welcome to the wonderful world of Pediatric Nursing! I hope you love it!

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Thanks....I think I will be very happy. I couldn't do it when my daughter was little....Too hard to see the ones there die to violence or abuse. I'm so excited, cannot wait for Monday to get here!

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Specializes in ED.

Don't kick the baby

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Specializes in PEDS.

wow, congrats and good luck! i'm also hoping to get into peds in the future. you gave me hope because i'm also starting out in LTC

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Specializes in PICU/NICU.
Thanks....I think I will be very happy. I couldn't do it when my daughter was little....Too hard to see the ones there die to violence or abuse. I'm so excited, cannot wait for Monday to get here!

Yes.... the SNATs(suspected non-accidental traumas) are by far the worst thing I deal with day to day.There is just no way make sense of it in your brain. That being said, it is not every day. And the ones who get better and go home far out- weigh the ones who do not... even in the PICU.

What area will you be working?

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Specializes in NICU, Nursery.

welcome to the wonderful world of peds!

i'm sure you'll do fine. :)

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welcome to peds!! the best job in the whole world!! My advice, brush up on what a normal assessment of a child should be. Review a pedi book. Brush up on growth and development. This is key in assessing a child. Also, brush up on med calculations and how to figure if the dose prescribed is within the recommended range for that drug. You said you have a daughter? If you treat the patients like your own kids and put yourself in the position of their parents you will do just fine! And remember, this is pediatrics, we have lots of fun at work:-]

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