Pediatric LPNs

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I just got hired onto a pediatric floor as an LPN. Any other LPNs who work in Peds? I would love to hear some stories!

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Specializes in Ambulatory, Corrections, SNF, LTC, Rehab.

I work as Lead Nurse LVN in a Out Patient Care under hospital, I work with geriatric and pediatric as well. Maybe know their cases? like the common diseases in your floor. study their meds, observe your working environment. and make sure you'll play with kids especially when giving their medications :p

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Specializes in Ambulatory, Corrections, SNF, LTC, Rehab.

Congrats btw! :)

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Congrats btw! :)

Thanks! I am very excited! I am going to start reviewing my pediatric notes from school and practice pediatric drug calculations.

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Specializes in pediatrics.

Congrats, I have worked as a pediatric LPN since 2010, first job ever. My nurse manager created a position for me when I was a care partner, so that after I took my nclex I would have a position. What I would say is learn your vaccines and age groups. Refresh on dosage calculation ranges based on kg (min- max). Remember your formulas of trying to find X. Other than that always remember you have more

than one patient; parents and patient. Enjoy your adventure in Peds.

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Specializes in Adult ICU/PICU/NICU.

I'm a retired PICU LPN. I came to peds fairly late in my career after many years of adult ICU. Everything is based on weights in peds, that took some adjusting. Your norms are different of course, and kids can change very rapidly. Adults usually give you plenty of warning that they are starting to crump. Kids compensate much better and you just can't let your guard down. This is true in all reas of nursing, but trust your instincts. The kid could look fine, vitals fine, good rhythm...but maybe the color is a bit off....or something you just can't put your finger on. Don't hesitate, page the docs....you're probably right. On the other hand, kids heal faster and more completely than adults do. It was very rewarding to take care of kids who had very serious illness or injury to see them leave the hospital in a few weeks with no complications. What I really liked about then is that they are smaller and easier to move and position than adults, which is easier on your body!

Best to you in a very rewarding field or nursing,

Mrs H.

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Congrats, I have worked as a pediatric LPN since 2010, first job ever. My nurse manager created a position for me when I was a care partner, so that after I took my nclex I would have a position. What I would say is learn your vaccines and age groups. Refresh on dosage calculation ranges based on kg (min- max). Remember your formulas of trying to find X. Other than that always remember you have more

than one patient; parents and patient. Enjoy your adventure in Peds.

I am going to try to find a reference guide to take to work with me that has information on vaccines for each age group until I become familiar with them. I didn't even think about vaccines until you mentioned it.

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I'm a retired PICU LPN. I came to peds fairly late in my career after many years of adult ICU. Everything is based on weights in peds, that took some adjusting. Your norms are different of course, and kids can change very rapidly. Adults usually give you plenty of warning that they are starting to crump. Kids compensate much better and you just can't let your guard down. This is true in all reas of nursing, but trust your instincts. The kid could look fine, vitals fine, good rhythm...but maybe the color is a bit off....or something you just can't put your finger on. Don't hesitate, page the docs....you're probably right. On the other hand, kids heal faster and more completely than adults do. It was very rewarding to take care of kids who had very serious illness or injury to see them leave the hospital in a few weeks with no complications. What I really liked about then is that they are smaller and easier to move and position than adults, which is easier on your body!

Best to you in a very rewarding field or nursing,

Mrs H.

I am looking forward to being able to move them a lot more easily than adults!

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Congrats! It seems that more hospitals are hiring LPN's for inpatient positions which is awesome! You have to remember kids are NOT little adults. Medications are based on weight, they react differently to meds than adults do, they are little fighters and will survive despite all of the odds sometimes, they will break your heart, and they will make you laugh.. Best of luck!

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Specializes in hospice.
I am looking forward to being able to move them a lot more easily than adults!

True, but DON'T get overconfident because they're smaller. First, all of them aren't, once they get above 12 a lot of them are adult size. Practice good body mechanics at all times and don't get lazy about raising the beds. I work both adult and pediatric and have seen people hurt themselves because they assumed they could handle that smaller weight and weren't careful. Take good care of yourself. :)

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True, but DON'T get overconfident because they're smaller. First, all of them aren't, once they get above 12 a lot of them are adult size. Practice good body mechanics at all times and don't get lazy about raising the beds. I work both adult and pediatric and have seen people hurt themselves because they assumed they could handle that smaller weight and weren't careful. Take good care of yourself. :)

That is very good advice and very true! I believe this unit will have infants all the way up to young adult.

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Specializes in Adult ICU/PICU/NICU.
True, but DON'T get overconfident because they're smaller. First, all of them aren't, once they get above 12 a lot of them are adult size. Practice good body mechanics at all times and don't get lazy about raising the beds. I work both adult and pediatric and have seen people hurt themselves because they assumed they could handle that smaller weight and weren't careful. Take good care of yourself. :)

Oh yes absolutely, I didn't want to imply that you can get sloppy. Always keep your support deep down and let gravity work with you. At the same time, have you seen the typical MICU patient? Many are obese and moving them requires all hands on deck. Traveling off unit was also a chore. I got to the point where I simply physically couldn't do it anymore. If I wanted to stay in critical care nursing, I had to work with a smaller population and I was able to work another 17 years after making the switch.

Thank you for the clarification. I should have thought of it myself.

Best to you,

Mrs H.

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