Guys in Peds??

Nurses Men

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OK, so as you might have gathered I am almost done with school. I am in my last semester of my ADN program and I am feeling VERY relieved, but a little scared to actually get out there and work as an RN. Everyone asks me something like, "So, do you know what kind of nursing you want to do?" I usually just shrug and say something like, "Wherever I get a job". I don't know why I find it hard to really answer that question. I know it might be really early to think about about specialty, and a lot people say to do the year of Med-Surg first......

I have been toying with the idea of getting into Peds. I had an amazing experience in Peds and the nurses I was with kept telling me to apply because they want more male nurses in Peds.

Any advice?

Peds is like my dream job. I say go for whatever makes you happy.

Go for it! Part of the beauty of nursing is being able to find your niche and roll with it. Years ago, my son was a patient at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. The entire nursing staff was amazing, but the nurses who stood out above the others were guys.

I've been working in a peds cvicu and very rarely run into issues. Besides a few of the older girls preferring female nurses for bathroom tasks (understandable), I've had a lot of positive feedback from families and it's great experience if you want kids someday.

Do it! I've always loved kids and wanted to work Peds. never had a chance during school. Once I graduated, I applied and got right into PICU. I think it's a great experience. Scary, but challenging and fulfilling.

Good Luck to you with whatever you decide to specialize in!

Strings85, being a guy, when working with school aged and teens which have you worked with more? Boys or girls?

Thank you

Go where your heart takes you! I work with a few male nurses and they are part of a good team. It is a general rule that the male RNs are not generally assigned to girls older than babies who require help with peri care or diaper changes if they are "with it" at all and might feel awkward or embarrassed about it.

Specializes in ER, ICU.

You should pursue any area that you wish.

The only way to know if peds is right for you is to go for it. Gender doesn't factor into it.

Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.

Go for it!! :) Honestly, there are kids who are just raised by their dads. You would be more familiar and comfortable to them. Go out and make a difference!

Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

I'm amazed about how many threads- this one and others- relate an area of patient care with what equipment the nurse hass between the navel and the knees. In 30 years of nursing, I've maybe had a dozen instances where my gender had some impact on my assignment or patient care. Do you likeworking with kids? Do you havea the patience of Job, the strength of Samson, and the wisdom of Solomon- -maybe Peds is for you. Me, I knew, even in school, I could tell a family that gramma is slipping down the tubes and they better gather to say goodbye. I could take comfort in my patients passing knowing it was as comfortable and without fear as I could make it. I knew I would fight for every life in my care, but I was going to lose some battles. I could never feel good about a child in the same situation. I can't imagine doing morgue care on a two year old and feeling- "well at least they are in a better place". I think after a year of dealing with kids that look at you like you are the devil himself whenever they see lab tubes or a syringe, I wouldn't be able to close my eyes to sleep for fear of the terror reflected in thier eyes would come haunting my dreams.

The good news- they are easier on your back.

With all that, I don't see being male of female having much of an impact on my area of practice. I have yet to use my "male parts" on my patients.....(my beard & Adams apple), no matter where I was employed.

As to some time on a med/surg. floor to polish your skills- not a bad idea. You don't exactly have nursing down pat no matter how good you are at this point. A few mos. to solidify your basic skills, and you will have a much easier time finding the position of your choice. If you discover you aren't happy with the kid gig- you will have those skills more permanently established than if you went straight to Peds from school.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

I don't think gender matters in any specialty. But I do have a story to tell that will confirm the impact of a male nurse on me and my child. A long time ago, my family was in a serious car accident. I was the only one not in the car at the time. My older son was in a coma, tubed, in the hospital for the longest of anyone. When he was ready to be moved from the PICU to a regular peds floor, he had many nurses, of course. The only one whose name I remember was Bill, not that the others weren't good, but because of one incident. My son was young enough to still be proud of his potty training and wetting himself was upsetting to him. Although I am his mom (and becoming a nurse was not even on my radar at the time), I was scared of doing much for my child because I was afraid I would do it wrong and hurt him. I called in Bill that day and explained that my son had to urinate but he indicated he didn't want to go in his diaper. (He was still recovering from the coma, so his speech was affected, he had still struggled with control of his extremities. His main way of communicating displeasure was through loud guttural growls and tears.) Bill brought in a commode and helped my son sit on the edge of the bed for transfer to the commode. As Bill put his arms around my son to transfer him, my son misjudged Bill's actions. My son leaned forward, wrapped his little arms around Bill's neck, kissed him on the cheek, and laid his head on the nurse's shoulder. My son thought that Bill just wanted to hug him! Bill's voice became hoorifice as he told my son what the next move for transfer was, and I swear his eyes got a little shiny.

I remember that incident vividly--as I do a nurse named Bill.

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

I am a male and I am also a pediatric nurse and I LOVE it! Whenever someone asks me where I work I proudly tell them I work in the Pediatric ICU! I did 4 years of adult med-surg before I went into PICU and, while I feel the experience was invaluable, I don't think it is a necessary prerequisite for becoming a pediatric nurse.

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