what makes you stay

bergren · Nov 20, 2002

I apologize that you've not received responses. I think it is a tough question to answer, like why are you tall? Why am I a Peds nurse? I just am......... Why did I not leave Peds? I can't imagine doing anything else.

I like being around kids. I grew up in a huge family. I love babies, todders, preschoolers, school age kids and adolescents! I hated all of my adult rotations in school and could not wait to graduate and nurse only kids.

I have never considered any other patient group. Once in I was in Peds, and chose to specialize in it, honestly, I'd be a novice with adults. Peds is so specific of a specialty, and has such specific subspecialties, so little of the meds and the skills would carry over to adults. You become an expert in it and it is your comfort zone.

I have always liked that kids have not had a chance (for the most part) to ruin their health. Their illnesses are usually not the result of them taking drugs or alcohol, smoking. They do not choose the food that goes on their table.

I like working with other nurses and health professionals who love kids. I think they are all fabulous.

I think that working in Peds forces practitioners to practice family nusing, where you must treat the whole family as the patient, not just the child with the diagnosis. Theoretically that is supposed to happen in all areas of health care, and sometimes it does, but many times it does not. In Peds, you cannot get around it.

Someone more eloquent, please help!

thill · Nov 24, 2002

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.

Rav_810 · Nov 25, 2002

I want to know what is the hardest thing about ped nursing eg death, parents?

Thank you.

RosieGlow · Jan 8, 2003

I think the feeling of helplessness is what really gets to me. Especially as someone trained in caring and medicine, you feel as though you ought to have all of the answers but when you just run out of options... it's relaly tough. And it's especially difficult to see suffering from children.

ladyjane · Jan 8, 2003

i stay in peds because of the kids. they bounce back so quickly, don't realize they are supposed to act "sick". i don't like taking care of adults for that reason. kids will generally do what you tell them so that they will get better. the parents are rough, especially grandparents, to deal with, but can be overlooked. nobody likes to see kids suffer, but peds nurses have the ability to look into the future and see a healthy child going home .

canadian · Jan 22, 2003

kids don't puke nearly as much....

and besides peds nursing is a great way to combine care for kids, and teaching, and family support, and looking at how determinants of health are affecting the kids (nutrition links to economics etc). And kids bounce back. I work in peds oncology and one second one of my kids will be puking his guts out and the next minute telling my a joke. They really are amazing!

There are so many million reasons I am a peds nurse... congratulations on wanting to join this awesome specialty!

IRISHBREAD · Feb 7, 2003

I WOULD NOT BE IN NURSING IF I WEREN'T WORKING WITH KIDS! NO MATTER HOW BAD THE DAY OR HOW SICK THE KIDS ARE -- A CHILD OR A PARENT WILL SAY OR DO SOMETHING TO BRIGHTEN THE DAY. KIDS SAY IT LIKE IT IS! I TRY TO BE HONEST WITH MY PATIENTS AND TREAT THEM THE WAY I WOULD LIKE A NURSE TO TREAT SOMEONE I LOVE. PEDS IS THE GREATEST!!! I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO FIND A PROFESSION THAT I TRULY LOVE. ACTUALLY MY SON CAME HOME FROM COLLEGE AND TOLD ME THAT SOME OF HIS CLASSMATES KNEW ME BECAUSE I HAD TAKEN CARE OF THEIR LITTLE BROTHER OR SISTER! WHAT A SURPRISE!