How to get a foot in the door in Peds

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Hi, I am a new grad who just graduated in May of this year with my BSN. I am also from the New England area. I just started my career 2 months ago on an adult surgical unit, the same unit where I was an LNA for 3 years all through nursing school. I am so grateful for a job, as nowadays new grads getting hired in acute care is becoming harder and harder.

But my passion is in pediatrics. I love children and my favorite job I ever had was my side jobs babysitting! Most ped RN jobs in my area require prior peds experience, and I tried to get a job as an LNA in peds before I was an RN and even that seemed impossible. How can I increase my chances of getting a job in peds? Do I put my time in doing med- surg for a few years to just get some RN experence in the first place? Or is there something else I could be doing in the mean time to put on my resume that would help me get a job working in peds?

Any and all advice is welcomed!! :) :up:

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Have you looked into doing Pediatric private duty nursing as a per diem job?

I got into Peds due to PD nursing; it has opened doors for me to work in a Pediatric unit.

See what's in your area and start there.

Best wishes.

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I had not thought of doing private duty nursing, I will definitely look into it, thank you for your advice!

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I do peds PDN and it's very rewarding. Looking forward to finishing my bsn in the next few semesters and transitioning to a hospital or facility.

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Specializes in pediatric.

I work in pediatric private duty nursing as a new RN and have been applying for jobs at Children's Hospital for two months with nothing so far. However, I do not have my BSN, and I think it is that which is preventing me from getting interviews (so far). Since you have your BSN, it will probably be easier for you to get a hospital job. Working PDN is a great way to gain experience and allows for a flexible schedule- it is definitely worth looking into! Also, getting your PALS and PEARS certifications can be helpful- it is required by pediatric hospitals where I live, and looks great on your resume.

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Thanks!

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.

Try finding work in a Pediatric clinic. Maybe that would open some doors for ya?

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I agree with laKrugRN. My peds career started off at a peds clinic and then I transitioned into peds pulmonary/neuro.

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This was my life just two years ago. I loved pediatrics and it was always my passion but I was a new grad and took an adult med/surg position. I could only stomach it for 9 months, I then switched to per diem and landed a summer camp nursing job for 5 weeks!!! *they will hire new grads! After that I continued to work per diem on the adult med surg floor, but became PALS and PEARS certified (i paid for it myself). I then landed a job in a pediatrician's office (not my first choice but pedi)! After a year of doing that full time and working per diem on the adult inpatient unit I landed a job in a PICU!!!!! I now am a Certified Pediatric Nurse and am PALS certified!!! Don't stop trying!!! Also of note, I live in massachusetts!!! I know the struggle is real in new england for new grad nursing jobs! Too much competition!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I'm from the New England area, also - I feel you! I started out in assisted living, then pediatric long-term care (lots of vents and trachs, etc.) and recently got a beyond-my-dream-job in the Pediatric ED at an amazing children's hospital. Took almost 5 years after graduating, but so worth it.

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Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.

I agree with others who have said to look for alternate routes outside of directly applying to a children's hospital. I currently work for an anesthesia company doing pediatric peri-anesthesia and PACU work at various facilities after the kids have outpatient surgeries. I also work in a peds psych hospital. Just getting peds experience any way possible can help open doors to children's hospitals. Good luck!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

If you go the route of PDN, keep your hospital job!!! If you want to work in a children's hospital ultimately, you need the acute care experience. I went directly into peds PDN after nursing school because the children's hospital wasn't hiring and when I finally got an interview 5months in, (because I knew somebody!) they told me they would treat me as a new grad and that I was losing my skills in PDN. Much longer and they wouldn't have really looked at me.

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