Future (pediatric?) ADN, beginning to think about residency tracks

PMFB-RN, RN · Oct 26, 2021

Here in Wisconsin Marshfield Clinic hospital offers a new grad residency for peds ICU and they hire new grad ADN/BSN/MSN for it interchangeably.

Getting licensed in another state is no big deal, but can be time consuming depending on the state. You do not have to retake the NCLEX. Go to whatever state you are interested in board of nursings website.

I highly recommend that you attempt to get into a nurse residency if possible. I started my career in critical care (as an ADN) in a 9 month critical care nurse residency and it was fantastic. Make getting a different job plan B.

If you don't get into a peds residency you might have better luck working, say med-surg in a hospital that also has a pediatric department. Might be easier for you to transfer to pediatrics after a year or two and you have proven yourself to be a good employee.

chare · Oct 26, 2021

On 10/23/2021 at 3:51 PM, bbauss said:

I'm an ADN student graduating next August (I know, I know, I'm that girl posting almost a year in advance--but I'm determined to not let this sneak up on me) and I'm just beginning to think about residency options. ... I've started looking at children's hospitals and have found a few residency programs that appear to accept ADNs, but they're all out of state.

While this is definitely too early to apply for positions for next fall, this is a good time to start looking. This will allow you to determine how far in advance the facilities you are interested in post positions for their residency positions. And applying too late, in my experience, is common for many new grad RNs.

On 10/23/2021 at 3:51 PM, bbauss said:

1. What is even the likelihood that these major hospitals (CHOP, Children's National, Seattle Children's, etc.) will actually accept me as an ADN even though they supposedly accept ADN nurses?

In NC, all of the major systems that I am aware of do actually hire nurses with their ADN. The expectation is that you will start and complete your BSN within a facility unique timeline. Another consideration when completing your job search is which facilities still offer tuition assistance.

On 10/23/2021 at 3:51 PM, bbauss said:

2. What does getting licensed out-of-state entail, especially as it applies to a residency?

Applying for licensure out of state is typically not a problem. While some states have specific educational requirements (e.g., PA, mandatory child abuse reporting; TX, jurisprudence, etc.), if you have graduated from an approved program you should be eligible to apply for licensure in any state you wish.

On 10/23/2021 at 3:51 PM, bbauss said:

3. Assuming I am accepted and would move, is there ever any discussion of relocation bonus, etc? (This feels futile to ask as a new ADN grad with little to no leverage but I figured I may as well)

Relocation and sign on bonuses aren't likely going to be an option for a new grad.

On 10/23/2021 at 3:51 PM, bbauss said:

4. Is all of it worth it assuming I want my career to be in peds? Or is it a wiser decision to work as an ADN/RN wherever I can until I can earn the BSN and then hopefully transfer to peds then?

I always counsel new grad RNs to take any job offered. Once you have accepted a position, this doesn't mean that you stop your job search. If you have accepted a position from one facility, and receive an offer from one of your preferred facilities, depending on timing, there is no reason not to accept and then graciously rescind your acceptance of the first offer. Nurse recruiters know this happens, and as soon as they hang up on you, they will be on the phone offering your now available position to the next individual on the waiting list.

Best wishes.