Future Nursing Student...only interested in peds...realistic?

[GoodyNurse2b]

I am a future second-degree nursing student, returning to school after receiving my first degree back in 2001. I have been working on the prerequsites for a couple of years and am finally ready to apply to nursing school.

When I think about becoming a nurse, I can really only envision myself working in a pediatric setting. Of course I'll keep my mind open when I am in school, but as of now, I have a strong desire to work with kids. This relates to the nursing care I received as a child... I was born nine weeks premature and weighed 2 lbs 28 years ago. I was healthy, but remained in the hospital for three months. I want to give back...

So my question is, how difficult is it to get a peds position upon graduating? Is it reasonable to assume that I could have a long career working in pediatric nursing without EVER having to work with adults????

And when I say pediatric nursing, I also mean any area working with kids....well-baby care, NICU, etc.

[Soup Turtle]

It's possible. I have heard that peds positions are more difficult to get, though. They say most children are generally healthy (less demand) and most pediatric nurses stay put (more supply).

[vamedic4, EMT-P]

What Turtle Soup may be true where she is, but we need peds nurses here like crazy. I know of many nurses who have only worked in peds, it is not as far fetched as it may sound. Working in peds is greatly rewarding.

Once you get into school you 'll find that there's dozens of specialties - keep an open mind and study seriously.

Best of luck.

vamedic4

My kids actually wanted to go to the pool yesterday.

[TexasPediRN]

It most definitely depends on the area you are living in.

I was living PA after graduation. I worked on a pedi med surg floor. We mainly had adults, because any really sick child, was shipped out to Hershey hospital. (great pedi hospital)

I then moved to Texas. I worked Pedi Private Duty, Pedi Orthopedic, and presently I'm working a PICU Step Down Unit (Pedi) of course :)

I have never worked anything else but Pedi. (with the exception of having to take care of adults in the first job).

So, depending on your area, it can be easy or hard. However, its definitely possible. Pedi is so rewarding, so go for it :)

-Meghan

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Goodynurse, have a look at the list of similar threads at the bottom of this screen. There are a few, and there have been a lot of responses so you may read things there from other members who don't check the forums often.

[llg, PhD, RN]

As others have said, it depends on the area you live in -- and your ability to be flexible.

For example, if you live near a children's hospital, they probably have lots of jobs available and hire plenty of new grads -- but you might have to work a schedule that is not your first choice. If you don't want to work at that hospital, there might not be other pediatric facilities in the area to go to.

If you live in a smaller community where there is only 1 small peds unit in the local community hospital ... they may not have any openings at the time you are looking for a job and/or the opening they have doesn't appeal to you.

If you have some sort of "falling out" with your local pediatric hospital or pediatric unit nursing manager ... you probably won't have as many alternatives to choose from in looking for another job.

I've been a NICU nurse for my whole career and have worked with many other nurses who have only worked peds or NICU. Yes, it's very possible -- but you have to be flexible in other ways if you are going to limit your career to one specialty only. For me, it meant moving several times in my career to achieve the career advancement I wanted. For other people, it can mean accepting a schedule or other specific working conditions that they don't care for. For others, it means learning to tolerate working with or for some people you don't care for because there is no other peds unit in town to go to. etc. etc. etc.

What is the situation in your area? That's the key. I would recommend getting to know people who work in peds in your region and find out.

[GoodyNurse2b]

Thanks for all of your replies they have been really encouraging!

Most of you have said location is key...

I am in Baltimore... in close proximity to Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland. There's also a pediatric hosptial in my area, in addition to many, many community hosptials.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

So you're in a target-rich environment, to quote Pete Mitchell. Just go for it!

[joprasklpn]

Pediatric home care is in big demand around my area. I work a couple different cases a week with mostly 6month-3year olds with trachs, vents and various feeding tubes. It's very rewarding and the babies are great and so happy considering what most of them go through everyday. Some families can be a bother, but the choice of cases and flexible scheduling are great.