I have been worked at adult Med/Surg unit for 6years.
So, I have not much experiences taking care pediatric patients.
Always I have been facing to them, it is too hard coping with their tiny tiny little bodys,vessels and also calculating medicine doses and administration is big challenges. In addition, guardians are always sensitive with my nursing care, even though I am a skillful nurse. For these reasons, I really admire PED nurses :)
Here is my question.
I know a lot of my RN friends would like to be a pediatric nurse, such as NICU or PICU or just general pediatric unit. I am surrounding RNs who want to be a pediatric nurse. However, I never been want to be a pediatric nurse.
I just wonder that is there anyone likes me? In these days, even I feel like I am abnormal.
Please tell me your opinion. Thank you in advance.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I agree with the others on that topic, except post-partum. It's the one "p" I just didn't like at all.
Wonder RN, if you like adult med-surg, don't worry for a second if you are normal. It seems like there are a lot of people who write posts here wondering how they can get out of it.
Absolutely hated dealing with any person under the age of 18. I found that I was not only caring for the young patients, but hand-holding and caring for every adult in their life, too. I found it really stressful.
I don't like Peds as well. My thing that besides kids that required a different care from adults, you have to deal with parent. In my opinion it is a double stress. I am new grads so I don't really want to start my career in pediatrics. However, I don't mind to work in nursery or NICU.
I'd bag groceries before accepting a position in peds or L and D. I have no interest in working with this population. My interests are in adult and seniors health.
Fortunately, others DO enjoy working with peds and newborns
I generally like working with kids in the er. They're straightforward about what hurts & it's nice when you can fix them & get them home. I do however hate peds codes. They suck.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
One of my OB instructors told me that there was something psychologically wrong with me because I didn't cry after witnessing my first childbirth.
I didn't tear-jerk after seeing my first childbirth, either. Sorry, but there's nothing overly romantic about watching a mommy expel blood and poop every time she attempts to push out the seven-pound bundle of joy.
I salute the nurses who are passionate about antepartum and L&D. There's something for everyone in nursing, and it takes all kinds of us.
One of my OB instructors told me that there was something psychologically wrong with me because I didn't cry after witnessing my first childbirth.
I tried to have as little to do with preggos when I worked in the ED. I always thought that if I had to choose between working in OB or Walmart, I would work in Walmart.
I witnessed my first childbirth pre-nursing school. It was the birth of my niece 6 months after I had given birth to my own child. I remember thinking, "so that's what it looks like from the other end!" and being a bit grossed out. No tears there.
I will be in peds clinical for my RN soon and I am dreading it. I don't work well with children. I like women's health but I'd gladly skip the OB part of it.
Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.
One of my OB instructors told me that there was something psychologically wrong with me because I didn't cry after witnessing my first childbirth.
I tried to have as little to do with preggos when I worked in the ED. I always thought that if I had to choose between working in OB or Walmart, I would work in Walmart.
Well I am satan because I didn't cry at all of my three births. I love my children, they are my world, but after I pushed that chubby ball of a baby outta me, hangry as hell, sore, being sewn up by the OB, well I just don't really feel like shedding a tear.
Even within Peds I have preferences. I honestly prefer not to have the Peds oncology patients (give me a new diabetic in DKA any day). I am empathetic to their situation but it's such a different culture and when they come to ICU from the heme/Onc floors it's a culture shock for the families too. I find them to either be the sweetest, most amazing patients and families OR the most difficult and high maintenance who really clash with everything going on in PICU ("why do you have to assess so often?" "Can we just turn off the lights and go to bed." "Can we not do any vitals overnight?" "What do you mean we can't have 14 visitors?"). There's usually not a gray area.
Whenever anyone asks me for nursing advice, I always tell them if they are over 1 year old and greater than 20 pounds, I don't know what to do with them!
I love taking care of babies. My current charge started out as a baby when I took him on. He is now 3, and he is the oldest patient I have cared for in over 20 years (and when he doesn't need my pdn services anymore, I plan to move on to another baby...)
I think we all have our preferences and where we feel comfortable. I WISH I were more adult oriented, because I have wanted to hospice for as long as I can remember, but I'm having trouble with transitioning to a population I haven't cared for in many, many years.
nursel56
7,122 Posts
I agree with the others on that topic, except post-partum. It's the one "p" I just didn't like at all.
Wonder RN, if you like adult med-surg, don't worry for a second if you are normal. It seems like there are a lot of people who write posts here wondering how they can get out of it.