New Grad wanting to work in Pediatrics

ToughingItOut · Jul 30, 2012

Are you sure that you would have to fulfill your two year commitment on that particular unit? I signed a three year committment for a sign on bonus and moving expenses, but I think I may have been able to move within the hospital to another unit.

BostonRuby · Jul 31, 2012

Hi, I am a recent new graduate and I have been applying to jobs since December. I have had three interviews and I have recently been given a Med/Surg Adults job opportunity with a great hospital. It is not with pediatrics and there is a 2 year commitment with it. I honestly have been trying so hard to work in pediatrics, shadowing etc, but I think I have to accept this job position.
Is there hope for me to work with Pediatrics in the future, despite my Med/Surg Adults nursing experience? I think I need to accept this job since New Grad positions are so scarce to come by. I know I am being picky, but I do not know if I should wait and still try to get a Pediatric nursing position.

Hello, I am also a new graduate and have found this Job Search to be brutal. If I were you I would take this job and re-evaluate after one year. You can always apply to a pediatric unit at a different hospital after one year. You may end up enjoying the floor and want to stay but with the way things are for new grads I would take this opportunity and use it to work towards your goals. Good luck!

PRNketamine7, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2012

I would take the job. These days you have to take what you can get as a new grad. I know people who didn't get jobs for a full year after graduation.

You can always apply after you have experience, and this will at least give you a leg up.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jul 31, 2012

I think they'll be a peds opportunity for you later down the road. Sometimes we have to take a less than ideal position at first and then move into something better later.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2012

Take the job that's been offered to you! I have been a peds nurse for 5 years and jobs are few and far between now. Even in a place like my old hospital... there has been huge turnover in the last year (12 nurses out of a staff of about 48 have left- so 25% of the nursing staff) and they still aren't hiring!

I have known many nurses who successfully transitioned from adult to peds.

malestunurse · Jul 31, 2012

Take it. One of my lecturers bounced around different specialties before ending up in ICU. He did something like: General Med/Surg, Aid Work, Peds, Flight Nursing, NICU and ICU.

I think it will be easier to apply for any position once you have some experience too.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jul 31, 2012

Take it.

Get experience and network while you serve your 2 years. That will lead to the peds job eventually.

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Jul 31, 2012

You are so much more likely to get hired in peds with the experience of this job, than with no experience at all.

asian67, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2012

I would take the job. You can cross training later. I'm new rn graduate too and I have hard time to find first job. Don't let this opportunity go by. Good luck.

BellasMommyOBRN · Aug 1, 2012

I had a difficult time finding a position after graduating in May, but with time (after the initial flood of new grads) jobs starting opening up. I landed a job in the specialty that I love, and actually am on the verge of a position at an OBGYN office (awesome hours!!) which has me loving life :)

At this point of the year (I know you have been trying since december) it is EXTREMELY competitive to get a job, especially in the area that you want.

I decided during my search that I was willing to settle for relocating if need be, which is what I did. I love my decision, I love my job and have been very happy! It opened up a lot of opportunity for me in women's health and made me eligible for this office position back at home. EXTREMELY happy.

It is important to FIND a job, but you should also feel comfortable and EXCITED about your choice. If you have your heart settled on peds and are willing to do anything to get into it, make sacrifices if you can.

It's well worth it :)

Bekarose · Aug 1, 2012

Like many of the others I suggest you take the position. I want to work in Peds Oncology and I am applying for anything just so I can get that 1 year of experience that everyone seems to want. I graduated in April and passed the NCLEX in June and I still do not have a job.