Autistic, male, and wants to be a pediatric nurse

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I am currently in my first term of LPN program and want to become RN one day then NP eventually. This topic is something that could be posted on a few different categories on AllNurses. I am 18. I am on the autism spectrum, have learning disabilities, and I'm male. I also want to be a pediatric nurse. Being autistic can add difficulty to the already daunting career of nursing. Having learning disabilities can make nursing school even more difficult than it already is. Being a male nurse in general is hard but in pediatrics it's even more hard. Could anyone give me any advice, please, I'd appreciate it so much?!?! 

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Specializes in TELE/ ED/ ICU/CVICU/MS.

I say go for it. You will be awesome at it. I am also on the spectrum and I have some learning disablities as well and I'm gay. However, I am in Critical Care and I absolutely love it. When I was in clinical rotation for OB/PEDs one of the sites we went to the kids were practically jumping all over me, wanting me to pick them up and play with them. Also most peds they have a patient or guardian there with them.  The most I ever got was are you a boy or a girl.

Also think about where you want to be in Peds. I know a friend thats in the NICU, I know another that was Pediatric Oncology. I honestly don't think you're going to have much of a problem especially if its your passion. 

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1 hour ago, teddybearguy said:

I say go for it. You will be awesome at it. I am also on the spectrum and I have some learning disablities as well and I'm gay. However, I am in Critical Care and I absolutely love it. When I was in clinical rotation for OB/PEDs one of the sites we went to the kids were practically jumping all over me, wanting me to pick them up and play with them. Also most peds they have a patient or guardian there with them.  The most I ever got was are you a boy or a girl.

Also think about where you want to be in Peds. I know a friend thats in the NICU, I know another that was Pediatric Oncology. I honestly don't think you're going to have much of a problem especially if its your passion. 

thank you so much ?

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Specializes in school nurse.

Don't borrow stress (thinking about potential problems down the road).

Concentrate on school and then licensure. If possible, try to identify someone as a mentor to help you through the beginning of your new career.

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2 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:

Don't borrow stress (thinking about potential problems down the road).

Concentrate on school and then licensure. If possible, try to identify someone as a mentor to help you through the beginning of your new career.

I may or may not have someone who can mentor me. Like I have cousins who are/were nurses but IDK anyone who is a peds nurse 

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Specializes in school nurse.
1 minute ago, JP_403 said:

I may or may not have someone who can mentor me. Like I have cousins who are/were nurses but IDK anyone who is a peds nurse 

Again, peds is off in the future. Prioritize passing your classes and then the boards. Try seeing if any faculty in your program I.e. advisors would be a good mentor fit for you.

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Just now, Jedrnurse said:

Again, peds is off in the future. Prioritize passing your classes and then the boards. Try seeing if any faculty in your program I.e. advisors would be a good mentor fit for you.

like what type of advisor?

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Specializes in school nurse.
33 minutes ago, JP_403 said:

like what type of advisor?

Many schools have assigned academic advisors. If your program doesn't, try approaching a faculty member whom you respect and ask them about mentoring.

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5 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:

Many schools have assigned academic advisors. If your program doesn't, try approaching a faculty member whom you respect and ask them about mentoring.

okay ?

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