Med-Surg BEFORE Peds??

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Hi everyone,

Here is a question that may have been asked before, but I could not find it doing a search of the site.

I am a nursing student and am leaning very heavily toward pediatrics after I graduate in 18 months (hopefully).

I have talked to different nurses concerning pros and cons of different areas of nursing. About 50% always tell me to do med-surg for a year or two before any other area, because of the experience, of course. Which is understandable.

However, If by the time I graduate, I know for sure that I want to go into pediatrics, wouldn't that year or two on the med-surg floor be better spent working pediatrics and learning the specific area I will be working in for the next 10-15 years??? I am 40 years old and only plan on working until my husband and I retire together around 55, hopefully.

Any suggestions, advice, or opinions are welcome. I know the experience of med-surg nursing in invaluable........ what do some of you that have gone into pediatrics suggest?? Med-Surg first or straight into Pediatrics?? Opportunity permitting, of course.

THANKS!

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Specializes in (palliative care/oncology unit).
Hi everyone,

Here is a question that may have been asked before, but I could not find it doing a search of the site.

I am a nursing student and am leaning very heavily toward pediatrics after I graduate in 18 months (hopefully).

I have talked to different nurses concerning pros and cons of different areas of nursing. About 50% always tell me to do med-surg for a year or two before any other area, because of the experience, of course. Which is understandable.

However, If by the time I graduate, I know for sure that I want to go into pediatrics, wouldn't that year or two on the med-surg floor be better spent working pediatrics and learning the specific area I will be working in for the next 10-15 years??? I am 40 years old and only plan on working until my husband and I retire together around 55, hopefully.

Any suggestions, advice, or opinions are welcome. I know the experience of med-surg nursing in invaluable........ what do some of you that have gone into pediatrics suggest?? Med-Surg first or straight into Pediatrics?? Opportunity permitting, of course.

THANKS!

We sometimes forget that Pediatrics is not just another specialty like Cardiology, Surgery, Oncology and so on. 'One size does not fit all' as the saying goes. Within Pediatric Medecine, and a Pediatric Hospital, you will find departmenst for each of these: Cardiology, Surgery, Oncology and more. In other words, you can do Med-Surg in a children's hospital. So, if you like pediatrics that where I would go, if that is possible in your area. Then, within the Pediatric Hospital pick a specialty: oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, whatever.

Hope this helps.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I work for a children's hospital and keep our statistics on retention, etc. I am also very involved in our orientation programs, etc. Never Too Late hit in on the head.

Learning to care for adult patients does not help you prepare for a pediatric career any better than getting experience on a good general med/surg pediatric floor. The organizational skills, etc. that people say you learn on those adult med/surg floors are just as available on a general peds. floor.

Also, once you "get comfortable" on the adult floor, you might find it difficult to change. I have worked with many adult med/surg nurses who have said to me, "You know, I always meant to do peds, but they told me to do adults first ... and then I never got around to switching." Then, when they finally do switch to peds a few years later, they find that they have established habits and comfortable ways of doing things that work well with adults, but that don't work well in peds. Sometimes, they have trouble making the switch.

Go where your heart tells you to go. If you know what you want to do, there is no good reason to make yourself miserable working in a job you don't want.

Finally, think of the waste it is for the med/surg unit that hires you -- when you have no intention of staying. People who get that 1 or 2 years of adult experience that they don't really want and then leave just waste resources and contribute to the high turnover and burnout rates of the adult med/surg units.

Good luck,

llg

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Learning to care for adult patients does not help you prepare for a pediatric career any better than getting experience on a good general med/surg pediatric floor. The organizational skills, etc. that people say you learn on those adult med/surg floors are just as available on a general peds. floor.

One thing I found about doing m/s before peds, is this: On m/s I would have upwards of 12 pts. This never happens on peds. Sure I will c/o having six peds pts., but it is nothing compared to 12 adults. Perhaps one or two are ever complete care in peds, (and that's if the parent is not involved). In adults, that # is much higher, usually without family to assist.

Also, once you "get comfortable" on the adult floor, you might find it difficult to change. I have worked with many adult med/surg nurses who have said to me, "You know, I always meant to do peds, but they told me to do adults first ... and then I never got around to switching." Then, when they finally do switch to peds a few years later, they find that they have established habits and comfortable ways of doing things that work well with adults, but that don't work well in peds. Sometimes, they have trouble making the switch.
For me, I did not find that to be the case. I knew I wanted peds, but it was not the right time for me (couldn't get in to peds w/o exp. at the time, then got pregnant). But I was determined to get there, so I did after my maternity leave.

Go where your heart tells you to go. If you know what you want to do, there is no good reason to make yourself miserable working in a job you don't want.
True, you may be miserable, so if you can find a peds job I wouldn't necessarily turn it down. But in no way do I consider my m/s yrs to be a waste of time

Finally, think of the waste it is for the med/surg unit that hires you -- when you have no intention of staying. People who get that 1 or 2 years of adult experience that they don't really want and then leave just waste resources and contribute to the high turnover and burnout rates of the adult med/surg units.
I know many many nurses who take jobs as a stepping stone to other jobs. While I don't know why, I know few nurses who go into nursing that intend on making a career out of m/s (I'm not saying they're not out there, I just don't know them!!) So I would imagine that nurse recruiters and managers know this, and are not too surprised whrn their new grads move on after a year.

It's a tough decision to make. Just remember, whatever your first job is, it will likely be tough. I'm not saying you have to do m/s first, I'm just saying it's not the end of the world if you do. Who knows, you may like it. :)

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I don't think its terribly important. Pediatrics is a totally different animal than adult med-surg. Sure, you will learn a lot about nursing procedures, organization, time management, that kind of thing... I personally think your time would be better spent in pediatrics. You could glean the best from both by working on a medical or surgical pedi unit, if you're not comfortable with more acute areas fresh out of nursing school.

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I think you'd be fine going directly into Peds. At my first job (peds, btw), every single nurse on the night shift had gone directly there. If anything, I would think that m/s might handicap you at first. One of the first things you learn in peds is that "kids are not small adults". Their bodies work just a smidge different and they deteriorate differently too. And as a new nurse you are going to have to learn the basics anyway (meds, pumps, time management etc.) so why not do it where you want to work?

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get your experience where it will help you be the best nurse you can be...BTW you have my admiration and respect...i have been pulled to a ped floor was on the schedule for 3 weeks one time while a nurse was on european tour...the parents and grandparents looking over your shoulder...ach you do not have one patient you have a whole room full of them

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Hi everyone,

Here is a question that may have been asked before, but I could not find it doing a search of the site.

I am a nursing student and am leaning very heavily toward pediatrics after I graduate in 18 months (hopefully).

I have talked to different nurses concerning pros and cons of different areas of nursing. About 50% always tell me to do med-surg for a year or two before any other area, because of the experience, of course. Which is understandable.

However, If by the time I graduate, I know for sure that I want to go into pediatrics, wouldn't that year or two on the med-surg floor be better spent working pediatrics and learning the specific area I will be working in for the next 10-15 years??? I am 40 years old and only plan on working until my husband and I retire together around 55, hopefully.

Any suggestions, advice, or opinions are welcome. I know the experience of med-surg nursing in invaluable........ what do some of you that have gone into pediatrics suggest?? Med-Surg first or straight into Pediatrics?? Opportunity permitting, of course.

THANKS!

Hi LouisianaNurse2006!

I just graduated Aug. 04 and was hired onto a peds (med&surg) unit where I preceptored in May that year. I have to say that I know where you're coming from. I knew right away where I did and did not want to work...I was 28 when I graduated :p and I felt that I could use my time better getting experience directly on the peds unit rather than be on an adult unit. I know a lot of nurses who has also done the same a me and they're great nurses. I'm learning about organization and procedures every time I'm on the unit...I think it's going to be like that for every unit you work on. I can say that I am extremely happy with my choice....I work on an awesome unit with really wonderful nurses. :balloons:

I hope that helps! :)

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