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Discussion

Out of my element: need some advice

Alright my friends, I need either a little pep talk or wake up call... you decide. Here's the situation:

My area stinks when it comes to new grad employment opportunities, so I've been applying out of state to a few areas I feel comfortable living for a few years. However, desperation does come out at some point, and I've applied to RN positions that I don't necessarily want for the long-term, but would take to get the experience. A new grad's gotta do what she's gotta do!

Here's the thing... I finally got a call back for a phone interview for a hospital I really like. The problem: it's in Pediatrics. Now, I love kids and was a nanny for years before ever going into nursing school. However, my nursing school did not have a dedicated Peds class, nor did I get any clinical experience with little ones besides a stint in the special care nursery.

That's concerning because I feel that I'm at a huge disadvantage because of it. While we did go over Peds info each quarter with adult med/surg, the lack of hands on experience has me wondering if this is a bad idea. Not that I'd be unsafe, because I'm super careful, but kids are not little adults. The hospital does not have a residency program, so I'm pretty sure I'd be receiving hands-on training, which is great... but I'm just freaking out a bit. Man, I don't even have the job yet and I'm freaking out.

I just need some advice from someone who's been in this place. Did you take a position you knew little about and excelled with training? Am I okay jumping into something that I didn't get super in-depth training on, knowing I'll have someone looking over my shoulder? Am I going insane... well, that's probably a yes. Applying for lots of jobs tends to do that to a person. Anything you've got for me I'll soak up like a sponge. Commence the advice!

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    • Featured Replies

    We ALL took positions we knew little about.

    Even with a full pediatric rotation, you don't really receive any training, you are exposed to the pediatric patient.

    You are already way ahead of the game , realizing that they are not little adults.

    You should expect a thorough orientation preparing you to provide care for the pediatric patient.

    Why not give it a try?

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    • Guides

    What BTDT said. You won't be at any more of a disadvantage than any other new grad.

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    Well, they called you, so they must think you can handle it.

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    • Author

    Thanks for talking me off the proverbial ledge guys! I appreciate all your input!

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    Go for it! You will be great :)

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    Category: Peptalk

    My new grad job was ICU. What possessed me to apply I’ll never know, to think I could walk into a completely foreign planet like that with beeps and gizmos I’d never laid eyes on before, and the scariest of scary patients (my ICU clinicals were abysmal), but I did it, and guess what…. turned into the only bedside nursing I ever wanted to do because I loved it so much. The unit director told me they hired me with zero experience on purpose, saying they’d prefer to train me the way they wanted rather than spend time teaching me to un-learn bad habits. Go for it, but be prepared, you may just love it, totally rock at it, and never leave the thing you never even considered :) Good luck in your interview!

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    Do it! I don't think anyone in my class has a position they know a lot about except a couple ER techs/paramedics who got jobs where they worked...and even THEY struggle.

    Now is the best time to throw yourself into uncharted waters, because everyone knows you don't know much ?

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    • Author

    My phone interview is tomorrow. Here goes nothing! :)

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    Yay!! I agree that you should go for it. Few of us go into our first jobs feeling like, "I've got this." If they do, that can be dangerous! Keep your eyes and ears open, and soak it up for all it's worth. You never know, you may love peds.

    Good luck with your phone interview! Be sure to keep us updated

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    • Author

    So, the phone interview went spectacular. I heard a lot of "I'm so glad you said that" or "that's exactly how we feel". After having them describe the unit my fears were calmed about Peds and I'm really hoping they offer me the position. Thank you guys for encouraging me to go for it. :)

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    Good Luck Hope you get the job

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    School training gives you the basics. You really learn on the job no question!

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