Kidspeace

lowprofile · Aug 11, 2013

I'm part time RN at KidsPeace Hospital there almost 2 years.

Now you can google up any number of bad news articles about the place.

Trying to figure corporate's thinking will drive you nutty.

Every place has problems and much of the criticism is fair, but some of the issues are sort of endemic to the specialty

Terrific colleagues. When I watch our mental health techs work with the kids and see their hourly pay, I'm embarrassed by my paycheck.

You will be on the frontlines of acute pedi psych.

The modules are variable and as usual our ratio could be better.

Also part of the staffing problem, aside from pay, is that not many people can do it, do it well, and do it long.

As with every pediatric specialty and more so than most, you will deal daily with truly horrible trauma and abuse cases and severely mentally ill kids.

As a mod nurse you need to be able to exert your powers for good while truly listening to the staff and kids.

Some days the mods are going to be banzai crazy for a dozen different reasons. 3 kids had bad visits, 2 didn't get a visit, 2 are going through medication changes, and the other 10 are getting bored which always leads to a ruckus.

You have to be able to let go of the things beyond your control.

Some of the RN's have this almost zen-like ability to never look rushed or flustered.

Insist on taking the LSCI and Sanctuary courses.

They will help you not get sucked into the moment with acute kids.

I wish there was no need for the pedi-psych field.

But I love it there.