getting started in peds, esp. heme/onc:

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Hello all!

I'm now officially a senior nursing student (our semester has just wrapped up) at a 4 year university. I just finished my maternity and pediatric clinicals, which proved to me that peds is absolutely where my passion lies. I've always wanted to go into pediatric oncology, but am a little nervous about breaking into the field..

I attend a 4 year program, and will graduate with my BSN next May. I've worked as a CNA at a nursing home for a year, and have been applying to every single hospital in the area (Boston, suburbs, etc. - even in CT and RI!) but have never heard back about anything. I was offered an externship position at a rehab hospital on a neuro floor, which I took for the good experience, but I'm getting really nervous.. I've been looking at job openings in a lot of hospitals for pediatrics, but all of the ones in my area want years of experience. I feel like I'll have to move away somewhere in order to get a new grad position next year.

Also, I plan on attending grad school (I'm hoping for UPenn's pediatric oncology nurse practitioner program), so I want t break right into peds so I can get at least a couple years of experience on a heme/onc floor before grad school. But getting right into peds feels so unlikely, and I'm scared!

For those of you in peds, esp. peds heme/onc.. how did you do it?

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Specializes in Pediatric Oncology/Pediatric Emergency.

I work at Seattle Children's hospital and was hired as a new grad into their hem/onc unit. It's an awesome place to work if you're interested in moving cross-country. :) Good luck, I didn't seem to have any trouble getting the job, I'm sure you won't either. It takes a special kind of person to work with peds hem/onc-ers...I truly work with the world's best nurses and team. :heartbeat

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Specializes in PEDS-HEM/ONC.

When I graduated from an ADN program in 1988 I knew I wanted to work in Pediatric Hem/Onc. I applied at the local Children's Hospital and was hired immediately. I went through the new grad program and worked for 4 years then left for 16!!! to have my kids and run a family business.

It was THE best job I have ever had and I have missed it every day since. We recently sold the family business and one of the nurses I used to work with is now the director of the same unit. She hired me back to the unit even though I haven't done any nursing in almost 10 years. I never thought I would be hired so quickly. I imagined having to return to school for my BSN or spending hours in classes before anyone would consider me. The fact that I'll be returning to Hem/Onc is amazing and I am so excited.

All nurses are special. I know it is hard to work with kids that have cancer, but it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done and I can't wait to get back in there. It sounds like a true calling to you and I think that is the key. You'll do great. Good luck. If you want to move to Southern California you probably wouldn't have any trouble finding a job in Peds Hem/Onc. (and you don't have to deal with the snow in the winter. I'm originally from Leominster, MA. I remember those cold, cold days.)

Karen

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Specializes in NICU.

MSCHONY in New York (the peds part of Columbia Presbyterian) hires new grads in heme-onc all the time, and has a new grad internship where you do three months each in two high acuity units (NICU, PICU, or ER) and then a six-month orientation to your "home" unit. There are classes (including some with the Columbia Med School, I believe) and a really good support system. If they'd had one that ended up in the NICU, I'd have done it in a heartbeat.

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Hoo boy. I applaud those of you who can work in this field. I don't have enough faith to deal with dying/deathly ill children.

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Specializes in Oncology-Pediatrics RN.

Salam

peds is absolutely where my passion lies

thats what i said when i finished my pediatric course. .. 1 week ago i finished my internship in the oncology-pediatric inpatient unit

i applied for the job in that hospital and am waiting their reply

it is an amazing unit ... these patients are really special ... i love them

it is amazing when u try ur best to let them smile ... and when they do it is more than enough to feel satisfied

Good luck :D

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