New grad tele nurse vs. peds

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi all! In the next week or so, I have a very big decision to make, and I need some advice. I am currently a new graduate, graduated in May with my BSN and got my RN in June.

My ultimate passion is peds. It's all I've ever wanted to do and nothing else. My whole resume is tailored to peds. I joined SPN, did some volunteer work, and I tutored for peds. I told myself that the only way I'd work with adults is if it were in the ICU, but I know that in terms of job satisfaction, peds wins by a landslide.

I have been working as a CNA for 3 years now in the float pool although I was mastered into the peds dept. I had hoped that I would get a job there as a new grad bc I have had positive feedback from the nurses and the nursing director. I didn't even get an interview so I was heartbroken. Recently I have been in touch with someone from a children's hospital who strongly encouraged me to apply to their unit. It would be a dream come true, but the residency doesn't start until March and I would not want to keep working as a CNA for 6 more months.

My dilemma is: Should I just start as a new grad in a tele floor for the meantime? Or do you think it's worth taking the risk to work in my dream hospital and wait almost half a year?

My main concerns are: Working in the float pool, I have hated working with the adult population. This tele job starts really soon so that's a plus, BUT they do require a 2 year commitment, in which I am unsure of the consequences if I break it. I have had my hopes up for another peds unit before, and if I don't get into the new grad program at my dream hospital, then I'm afraid I'd be unemployed 1 year after my graduation date.

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It sounds like you have one offer and no decision to make at this point. Being invited to apply counts for absolutely nothing. Nothing.

Accept the one offer you did get and keep looking around. If you do get an offer for something you really want, you can deal with the penalties involved with breaking the contract at that time.

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Obvious, yet simply said. Thank you. I needed to hear that. It's definitely not my cup of tea, but as a new grad, who am I to be picky?

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Are you willing to move to get a job? Of all the hospital beds available there are only a small portion set aside for pediatrics. That means fewer jobs for nurses who want to work in peds. In my area, many hospitals do not even have a pediatrics department. It is a desired specialty with fewer jobs compared to nurses who work with adults.

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Are there any peds home health agencies in your area? You may be able to gain experience that way while waiting for an opening in a hospital. I used to live in a major metropolitan area that still has a huge amount of home health agencies for peds. Most offer training. It's something you may want to consider.

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Working as a nurse for 6 months may disqualify you for the new grad residency. But if you don't start working because you're holding out hope you get accepted and you don't you will have 6 months of no experience under your belt. Unless you're willing to move to an area that is hiring new grads into Peds you are looking at the difference between a sure thing and a maybe. "Maybe" doesn't get you anywhere. Peds will always be there. Experience in adult nursing will not necessarily stop you from getting a pediatric position. I started in Peds moved to adult moved back to Peds and now am back in adult nursing.

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I have applied in other areas and other states, but unfortunately, I have not been invited to interview with any of them.

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Thank you. That's exactly what I plan on doing. At least then I'd have experience working with children.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
Are there any peds home health agencies in your area? You may be able to gain experience that way while waiting for an opening in a hospital. I used to live in a major metropolitan area that still has a huge amount of home health agencies for peds. Most offer training. It's something you may want to consider.

A new grad with no experience should not be doing pediatric home health.

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