Interview at peds office

Published

Hello. I'm an RN just starting out in a pediatric office. I am used to working with adults and haven't worked in a pediatric setting prior to this aside from nursing school clinicals. Any advice out there that may help on blood draws, immunizations as well as family/pt interaction with little one's? I've got the basics down just wondering if there is anything that might make things go a little smoother. Thanks! ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Occupational Medicine, Orthopedics.

Well, I'm an LPN in a peds office and I've been at the job three weeks now. I have to report that I'm starting, and I stress starting to calm down.

If your office is anything like mine, just the sheer pace is dizzying. The only thing I'm sure of is that time is key. Even in just the three weeks I've been at this office, I've gained insight into what I need to do personally to be good at my job. And I'm positive that a month or two down the road, I'll have honed skills that I am very aprehensive about right now.

Isn't this just the usual ordinary advice that pertains to absolutely every new thing a person encounters? Sorry, I am not original. Well, I'm not sure if I have anything of value to offer, but...

I do know that the way to a parents approval is through how you connect with their children. It's become so apparent to me in a very short amount of time. Connecting with kids comes pretty easy to me, but sometimes it makes all the difference as far as the general acceptance and subsequent conduct of the respective parent.

As far as the specifics; we don't do blood draws in our office because we have a lab just down the hall from us, but of course we do immunizations. We do so many shots I see dancing needles in my sleep. I try to be relatively quick when its time for injections. After the doctor is done with the patient, I draw up the necessary injections and go back into the room. By this time, the kids who are old enough to know what's coming are worked into a bit of a frenzy (at least some of them are). The less time for them to get even more psyched out the better. I just assure them that it'll be over before they know it, and remain steady and sure as I prepare bandaids, cotton balls, alcohol. We have something we call a shot blocker. It looks like a yellow butterfly. It's purpose is to apply sensation around the injection site, so as to trick the brain into not feeling the injection as much. It works like a charm. I never tell the kids that it won't hurt because I don't want them to think I lied to them. They wouldn't trust me next time, plus it actually would be a lie. Momma taught me not to lie, and I mind my momma... :thankya:

The smaller kids, I have laying with their lower legs over the end of the table so that I can lean up against them causing restraint, and I have the parent hold the arms and upper body still. This works great, as long as the pressure on the lower legs is enough to keep them from flailing.

The older kids you just have to figure out, because they are all so different. Some are brave, and others are petrified. I'm still trying to come up with strategies for the latter. But for the most part it is always doable, and it gets done.

And of course, SMILE. Smile like you mean it. Not just the polite little quirky upturned corners of your mouth. Give them the Julia Roberts smile, people like happy people. It makes you feel good too. You know the old saying; "Smile, and the world smiles with you". How very true it is.

Well, that's probably too many words, and not enough of what you were looking for, so...

Good luck to you. I hope you love your job.

Blue

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you so much! That is very much what I'm looking for. Tricks of the trade . One question..what do you tell the kids the shot blocker is for...how do you explain it? Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out! I like the "I see dancing needles in my sleep." Ha! :chuckle

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Occupational Medicine, Orthopedics.

I show them the shot blocker, and tell them that it helps. Depending on the kid and how scared they are, I will either show them how it works ahead of time, or just use it explaining how it works as I do it. It just depends on the situation/child.

Blue

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, peds, ICU stepdown.

Blueberry,

I also work in a peds office, I would like to know where you get the shot blocker or some info on it. It definetly sounds like something I could use with the older kids.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, peds, ICU stepdown.

Be Happy, After 15 yrs of adult care I started working in "new" peds office and I am the only nurse. I was very scared the first few weeks & learned a lot by trial & error -not bad life threating errors:nono:. Thankfully I work for a great doc that likes to take the time to teach! My best advice is to try to have fun, smile, and treat the kids as how you would want your kids to be treated. I love it & hope I don't ever have to go back to med-surg with adults.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Critical Care.

I'm just curious. How did you decide to go from nursing care of adults to children? I am considering taking a job at Children's Hospital. I am currently working as an ER nurse with adults. I have been a nurse for 12 years, and caring for adults is all I have done. I am very nervous, but need a change. Can you please help with some advice. Thank you.:nuke:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, I would like to know (if you are willing to share) what pay rate you started out at in a peds office. I recently had a job interview at an office I love but the pay was horrible. ($11) I am confident I will get a call back and would like to know what others in that area are making. thanks amanda

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds.

I hoope you enjoy working at a peds office as much (or more) as I do. I think it is the best job EVER! My advice, Apologize for their wait, if any. Talk to the kids, whether they are 2 months or 18 years. Parents love it when you talk to them and the kid too.

Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Long term care.

So I am currently an LPN at a nursing home, where i have been for almost two years. I just graduated nursing school in March and have not had much ped experience besides your typical clinical hours, (which are never enough). I have always wanted to do pediatrics since I thought about going into nursing. I love kids and enjoy them at all ages. I'm not sure what it is but i seem to have somewhat of "spark" when it comes to children, besides you have to to work in a daycare for three years!! lol......but anyways, back to the subject, I am extremly nervous about taking on this job at a peds office since I hardly have any experience. I do enjoy a good challenge, but I want to be prepared.

Is there any Peds nurses whom could give a "newby" like myself any advice???

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

I think I'll merge this thread with another thread that is similar in nature. The other thread is from an RN starting a new job in a peds office, and although scope of practice is a little different, there will be a lot of pertinent information there for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, SNU, Office, and Private Duty.

I too am a LPN and I have just accepted a job at a larger peds office in our area. I currently work at a SNU unit and after 6 months of being a new nurse I am already ready for a change (i think it has something to do with the unit not the pts) anyway. I start in 2 weeks and I am so very excited!

Any advice is greatly appreciated! I love kids and I want this job to work out!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion