Pediatric or Adult Nursing for New Grad

Specialties Pediatric

Published

I will be graduating in December 2005 and am very interested in pediatric nursing. I am living near a top notch pediatric facility and I'm sure if I worked there, I would get a lot of really good experience. What I'm wondering is this...is it better to get experience with adults first? I know that it takes some special skills to be able to work with pediatric patients...the art of distraction, special communication techniques, etc. I wonder whether getting used to nursing as a new career will be enough of a challenge without adding the extra skills required to take care of pediatric patients. I love kids and I relate well to them so I really think that I would ultimately be interested in pediatric nursing, but I want to go down the right path so that I am fully prepared to take on the challenge. Any words of wisdom out there? Thanks in advance.

Lisa

Hi everyone:

I wanted to let you all know that I was offered a job at the pediatric hospital on the general med surg unit. I decided at the last minute that I was most interested in that unit so I only interviewed for that position to see how it would go. I interviewed Friday morning and was offered a job Friday afternoon. I was surprised at the quick turnaround but I was thrilled to accept the job. So I will be starting orientation the second week in January. Now that one hurdle is over, I must go study for the NCLEX. Thanks for all the support. You guys are great.

Lisa:roll

Specializes in NICU/L&D, Hospice.

Dang, you're good! Congrats to you!

Please keep us updated, since I am interested in following in your footsteps. My major compassion is with the kids! I can communicate so easily and love to listen to their stories!

So happy for you!!!!!!!!!

:balloons: :balloons:

Lisa

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hi.. im a soon to be Pediatric Nurse..:) im still havin my orientation right now... well I cant wait to hit the floor... its a bit scary to work with kids but I know I'll love it... i hope you'll enjoy your future job aswell.. GOOdluck! :balloons:

Wow, Liz that is great. Good luck with your new job and good luck in your nursing career.

:) Flicker

thanks... Flicker

Go for what you like!

Pedi RN 25 years, RN & Lactation Consultant

Hi everyone! I am interviewing for a pediatric home care position tomorrow. I am a new LPN grad, and did an adult med/surg rotation at a small local hospital. I lasted 11 weeks with a full pt load, but it wasn't my cup of tea. I worked in a pediatric unit as an unit coordinator for 6 years and have three teenage boys, and love children. I received alot of experience, but the adult med/surg world wasn't for me. I handled it, but my heart wasn't in it. I am looking forward to this experience, I want hospital pediatrics, it's what I know, but until I get into to RN program(which in mass. is difficult even with my gpa, experience and age), I am praying this is the job for me. Children see life through fresh eyes everyday, even when they are sick, they amaze me. Children are really gifts from God, I can't imagine myself working in any other area(except for the LPN to RN). Wish me luck!

Grace

Grace,

Best of luck to you, although I don't think you'll need it. It sounds like you have what it takes to be a fantastic pedi nurse. When I tell people that I'm going to do pediatric nursing, many of my classmates say, "I could never so that." And I think, why would I want to do anything else?

Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

Life is too short to not do what you love!

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