Getting a job in pediatrics as a new grad

[caffianatedstudier97]

Hello,

I am a nursing student who will be graduating in May 2019 and is very interested in getting a job in pediatrics when I graduate. I completed an externship on a pediatric floor, as well as work as a tech on a pediatric floor. I hope that this experience will help me in the job hunting process, however, I recognize how competitive it is to get a job in peds, especially as a new grad. Does anyone have any advice as to how to get a job in peds as a new grad?

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

11 minutes ago, caffianatedstudier97 said:

I recognize how competitive it is to get a job in peds, especially as a new grad. Does anyone have any advice as to how to get a job in peds as a new grad?

A vast majority of the nurses in my children's hospital started as new grads. What makes you think that it is competitive? My unit hires primarily externs and PCAs that worked at the hospital prior to becoming an RN.

[OldDude]

27 minutes ago, NICU Guy said:

A vast majority of the nurses in my children's hospital started as new grads. What makes you think that it is competitive? My unit hires primarily externs and PCAs that worked at the hospital prior to becoming an RN.

I totally agree...I have no scientific date or other actual proof to back up this statement but I believe "most" nurses don't want to work pediatrics so the competition you refer to may just be a myth. Just blast out the applications and interview with confidence and be optimistic.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Where I work (a children's hospital) it is competitive in some ways, but not others. It's competitive in that we strongly prefer new grads who have gone to good schools -- ones with good reputations and high NCLEX pass rates. We only hire new grads who are BSN's or only a semester or two away from getting their BSN's. So if you are not graduating from such a school, it is unlikely you would be chosen by my hospital -- and those new grads probably perpetuate the perception that it is highly competitive.

Also, we look for people who have done things like externships, senior capstone experiences, work as a tech etc. in peds. You are such a person. For my hospital, that would be a strong point in your favor. Again, many of the new grads who apply have nothing like that in their background and little experience working with kids in general.

It sounds like you have been doing lots of things right to fulfill your peds goals. I'd advise you to keep doing what you've been doing -- and try to make a positive impression on the people you work with, etc. You've gotten the "right credentials;" now you just have to demonstrate that you would be a good employee -- reliable and pleasant to work with.

Good luck!

[GrenIedGal, BSN, RN]

Completely varies on your geographical location. Here in CA (especially southern) it is HIGHLY competitive. Can be upwards of 300 applicants for every one unit position they are looking to fill in their NG program. So like anything else, supply and demand. If there are a lot of NG's interested in peds and only one major peds hospital, those spots are coveted. Best of luck to you!

[Nicole Zeitzer Johnson]

I'm actually looking for a nursing student or recent grad (or lpn or nurse) to spend the weekends with us in Montauk in July to help us care for our 7-year medically fragile child. [email protected]

[Matthew RN, MSN]

As mentioned it depends on the area.

Pediatrics is one of the smallest units in my hospital, and they don't have open positions as often (once went 2 years between openings). However, when we do have open positions we often hire new-grads.

[SteelGrey]

Networking!

Use all your experience and contacts to your advantage. Apply to the new grad programs and let your contacts know you did. Start asking about your future now.