If not pediatrics, what else?

[pinkiepie_RN]

Hi guys! I am a nursing student approaching graduation in May 2009. I am trying desperately to get a job as a nursing student tech in a pediatrics department but they're as hard to come by as I hear that pediatric RN jobs are. I know teaching hospitals and large hospitals accept new grads but what if they don't or there are no openings? What would you recommend other than adult med-surg for someone who eventually wants to get into general pediatric med-surg or pediatric ED? I would rather have a job that I don't like alot rather than no job at all. I will look around at all area hospitals, even ones further away from me but I hear there's just not a big turn-over in pediatrics. How did you guys all land your peds jobs? Did you work in a different specialty first?

Thanks in advance!

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Hi, I'm a new grad (June) who got a job straight out of school in peds. I was able to accomplish this several ways including applying early! I probably applied in Jan/Feb and didn't graduate until June. In order to get into specialty areas like peds, at least in my area, you have to apply early. Also, if your hospital has a career fair for nurses, I would go, as that really helped me find out about job opportunities and see what kind of peds unit I might like.

The hospital I work at is a large teaching hospital, and IMO, most teaching hospitals are welcoming of GN's. My hospital has a nurse residency program, which was a big pro in taking a job here.

If you are allowed to do your senior internship (assuming your program has one) in peds, I would definitely encourage you to do so.

I think that as long as you do the footwork and start applying and looking early, you should be able to get a job in peds. While it's true there isn't a big turnover, there is some, so they still have to hire some nurses.

Good luck! :heartbeat