Is Peds really for me?

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

I think it is fine to have a preferred age group, as long as you can give competent care to all the age groups that you are responsible for. I prefer the same age group myself, which is why I am a school nurse. However, since I am the only medical personnel on campus I also have to care for adults (faculty, parents, visitors), as well as occasionally an infant or toddler younger sibling. I have even had a pregnant mom slip and fall! Not my favorite things to deal with and no, I do not feel 100% comfortable with them, but you get more comfortable the more exposure you have to caring for a certain age group. I say go for it!

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

I know exactly what you mean. I love peds, but the thought of working with babies all the time, doesn't excite me one bit. I found a compromise. I work on my pediatric hospital's adolsecent unit. I take care of kids 12-21. I will se the occasional toddler or baby as an overflow pt, but, as a rule, I see mainly teenagers. This is just perfect with me, as I'm much more comfortable with the teenagers.

Nurseinator · Feb 14, 2009

I always ask myself the same question. I am a third year nursing student (male). I was placed in an pediatric clinic and I llllooooovvveeed it, all the nurses were awesome. But the only question is, Are there lots of male pediatric nurses?.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2009

Honestly, there probably are not as many male peds nurses. However, I think if you are passionate about this field, you would be an asset to it! Some of the male patients might open up to another guy sooner than a female nurse. I think you would find that you have a lot to bring to the table as a male peds nurse!

MissBrahmsRN · Feb 17, 2009

see, i'm the opposite. i love the newborn to 12ish age group but the teens are kinda, well, i don't know so much how to deal with them. i'm considering PICU & NICU

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2009

I always ask myself the same question. I am a third year nursing student (male). I was placed in an pediatric clinic and I llllooooovvveeed it, all the nurses were awesome. But the only question is, Are there lots of male pediatric nurses?.

Men in nursing, especially peds, are such an assest. The male patients love the male staff members, you can tell some of the boys really look up to them. Also, I like having a couple guys working on the floor as sometimes the teenagers can get a little out of hand, and it is sometimes easier for them to listen to a man.

Nurseinator · Feb 17, 2009

I was looking at some of the polls, on this website and found a large number of male nurses in peds. I was surprised. LOL.

MissBrahmsRN · Feb 18, 2009

one of the children's hospitals here has several male RNs. they are fantastic! the charge nurses on the unit i spent my peds clinical are both guys and amazing nurses, i learned so much from them. the kids love them, and i enjoy having both genders in the workplace, large numbers of women can be so mean when we get together!

RNKel, ASN, RN · Mar 25, 2009

I always ask myself the same question. I am a third year nursing student (male). I was placed in an pediatric clinic and I llllooooovvveeed it, all the nurses were awesome. But the only question is, Are there lots of male pediatric nurses?.

I have a male nurse friend who graduated last year and he got a job at a large Children's hospital right after graduation. I saw plenty of male nurses when I rotated there, too.

ngiguere · Mar 25, 2009

I am a 4th semester male nursing student and am looking strongly at doing peds. I loved my clinical rotation last semester and have heard that males are needed and that in general they are always looking for people in pediatric care. Trust your heart. If you second guess your gut you always get in trouble. Do what you love!

sbyramRN · Apr 4, 2009

I work in a Pediatric ER, and a lot of babies come through. The thing about the ER is you stabilize and either send them home, or move them to the floor, so you don't spend a lot of time with the kids. In reality, you are mostly dealing with the parents, and the parents of babies are sometimes a little more demanding. Also, their are A LOT of male nurses in my unit. Not so much on the floors, but in the ER, I would guess a third of the nurses are male.