Pediatric Long term care?

Specialties Pediatric

Published

I was wondering if anyone works or has worked in a Long Term care center for Peds? I seen a position that sound interesting to me, but I am quite nervous about going for LTC (Geriatrics) to Peds.

Thanks!

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Any child that is in long-term care has multiple problems, and usually are vented, with PEG tube, need frequent suctioning, etc. Along with seizures, and possibly other issues, or they would be cared for at home.

If you do not have training with children, not a good place to start. Kids are not small adults, but have a completely different set of needs and wants.

Think of it this way, would you be comfortable caring for a child like this at home? Do you have the experience in doing so?

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Any child that is in long-term care has multiple problems, and usually are vented, with PEG tube, need frequent suctioning, etc. Along with seizures, and possibly other issues, or they would be cared for at home.

If you do not have training with children, not a good place to start. Kids are not small adults, but have a completely different set of needs and wants.

Think of it this way, would you be comfortable caring for a child like this at home? Do you have the experience in doing so?

Thank you,

I appreciate the honesty. I realize they are not mini adults, I remember coming to that realization awful quick on the Pedi unit during clinical! I know many Pedi units hire new grads, but would they take a nurse with no acute care experience??

Thanks again!

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Specializes in ER,ICU and Progressive Care Unit,Peds.

Yes some peds units hire nurses without acute care experiences. I didn't have any acute care experiences as an RN, but I'm active duty military and that's a little different. But we do hire non-navy nurses at my hositpal without prior expereinces. I think it depends on the hospital.

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I am a new grad nurse (graduated in May!) and got my first job working in a pediatric long term care facility and I love it! They are very open to hiring new nurses and great at training them. The vents and g-tubes and trachs are scary at first but after a few weeks, everything starts to come together and they become less intimidating. I would say GO FOR IT!!! Apply for the job, take the job! If you want to work with children it is one interesting way to do so and they are fabulous! Good luck!

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I am a new grad nurse (graduated in May!) and got my first job working in a pediatric long term care facility and I love it! They are very open to hiring new nurses and great at training them. The vents and g-tubes and trachs are scary at first but after a few weeks, everything starts to come together and they become less intimidating. I would say GO FOR IT!!! Apply for the job, take the job! If you want to work with children it is one interesting way to do so and they are fabulous! Good luck!

I just spotted your post and was thrilled to see it. I too am a new grad RN (May), and I'm about to start in a pedi long-term care facility. It is a little scary, but this particular facility is widely acknowledged as being truly excellent, and I'm going to assume that they're great at training too. There's a six-week orientation, so that seems like a decent amount, and I can't wait to start. I would love to brush up a bit first though but haven't had much luck finding books that specifically deal with this subject. I'll keep looking and checking the web (and this site, of course), but I just wanted to say "Hi" to a fellow new grad who's doing what I'm about to. :coollook:

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i just spotted your post and was thrilled to see it. i too am a new grad rn (may), and i'm about to start in a pedi long-term care facility. it is a little scary, but this particular facility is widely acknowledged as being truly excellent, and i'm going to assume that they're great at training too. there's a six-week orientation, so that seems like a decent amount, and i can't wait to start. i would love to brush up a bit first though but haven't had much luck finding books that specifically deal with this subject. i'll keep looking and checking the web (and this site, of course), but i just wanted to say "hi" to a fellow new grad who's doing what i'm about to. :coollook:

scooter321 im am also a may new grad about to start in ltc peds. im glad i found you. how is it going so far?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
scooter321 im am also a may new grad about to start in ltc peds. im glad i found you. how is it going so far?

i started as on-call in ltc peds, in september and now getting a part-time noc position in my peds facility. i love it there, it is such a happy place. i feel very blessed to have been given the opportunity. there are nurses working along side me who have such a wealth of knoweldge and experience. i still long for acute care experience, but at the same time i could see myself working at this facility for quite a few years.

how is it going for everyone elese in ltc peds?

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I work LTC Peds and Homecare Peds right now and its unfortunate that they don't consider this acute care, because I have had quite a few COCs that have happened that required major interventions. Some that even the floor nurses at the local children's hospital didn't catch and know how to treat properly and they have "acute" care experience.

But I LOVE the long term kids and even after I get my RN will probably stay in this field. I think.

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