Specialization?

Crush · Mar 8, 2018

If that is what you really want I see no problem with going for pediatrics. While in my opinion based on my experiences, think most (not all) new grads would benefit from working a med-surg floor for that 1st year before specializing. There are always exceptions based on personality, how quick one learns and learning style, etc. I say go for it and best wishes.

Sour Lemon · Mar 8, 2018

I am looking for input from current nurses. I really want to work in pediatrics. I have known it is where I have wanted to be since I started nursing school. I have had many people tell me specializing right off is ok. I have had many people tell me that it would be a good idea to work general medical/surgical for a year and specializing right off isn't a good idea. I am just looking for some more input. Thanks in advance!

I'm under the impression that pediatrics (at least in some cases) is med/surg for younger, smaller people. If you know that's what you want to do, it's probably the best place to start.

Most patients who need medical care are elderly adults, though. So you may or may not be able to get your desired specialty as a new graduate.

SC_RNDude · Mar 8, 2018

I've worked both. If peds is what you want to do, go for it. However, if the opportunities for med/surge come first, it will be a great experience that will help you in whatever area you eventually get in.

Crush · Mar 8, 2018

My sister works at a pediatric specialty clinic and loves it. I think in my initial response that is where my mind went. But Sour Lemon is right, at an acute care it would be similar to a med-surg, just for younger people.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2018

I have been a nurse for almost 11 years. I have never worked (and will never work) with adults. There is nothing wrong with starting out in pediatrics if that's what you know you want. I recently changed jobs and, in the course of job searching, submitted my resume to a couple adult positions mostly because I wanted to see what kind of interest my resume would generate. When I was offered interviews for these positions, I turned them down as, by that point, I had several good pediatric prospects and I knew I wasn't going to choose an adult job so I saw no reason to waste my/their time. In my opinion, the earlier you get your foot in the pediatric door, the better. 1-2 years of med surg would have served absolutely no purpose for me in my career. I have been able to obtain all of my jobs because of how strong and diverse my pediatric experience is. I started in acute care pediatrics (on a specialty floor) and, since, have done per diem high school, home visits for the general peds population but primarily oncology patients, home infusion liaison at a pediatric hospital and recently started a new job working with medially complex children in foster care.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2018

Med-surg is actually a specialty in its own right, and a peds floor is comparable -- except for the younger patients.

What I would suggest is that you keep an open mind while in school. I don't know what the market is in your area, but if it's your typical "no nursing shortage" market, it could prove to be difficult to find a jobs in peds.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Mar 10, 2018

Pediatrics units at a community hospital are usually small because children are hospitalized less than adults, except for RSV/Flu season, so finding a job at a smaller hospital will be harder. If you want Peds, go to a children's hospital where they have specialties (ER, Oncology, PICU, Med/Surg).