Is Peds really for me?

[mcs1505]

We're in our Peds rotation right now and I absolutely looooooooooooooooooove working with the 4-17 yo age bracket, but babies and toddlers not so much.

I was just offered a Peds ER job after graduation and really want to take it but it worries me that I'm not head over heels for all the age groups. (It's probably that I've had more exposure to 4+ yo because I used to teach preschool, be a camp counselor etc. But it still worries me.)

Is this "normal'? Do you have an age group you prefer to care for?

[HRM672]

Male peds nurses are great!! I only wish we had more. I agree with a previous poster that they are a tremendous asset to a floor and I know alot of people I work with feel the same way, because we talk about it!

Regarding a preferred age group, I agree that you need to be able to give competent care to all age groups, especially in an ER. If you prefer a certain age group, you can always work in an area that tends to have more of that age. Myself, I'm not a big fan of the sick toddler, but I love all the other ages and of course give good care to toddlers. I think most people probably have an age they prefer. You can find out the typical age breakdown in your area when you interview. Also the longer you work in peds, the more comfortable you will be with that younger age group.

[littleneoRN]

OP, did you take the job??

[KidzNrz17]

Even if you don't love all the ages, you can still give good nursing care to them all. I've been a peds nurse 19 years and can take care of any age. I have my favorite age groups, too. But you can do what you need to.