I hear many people talking about how difficult Peds is......
Peds is an area that is really calling out to me....
I am a 45 yr old guy and I remember as a clerk in a retail store many years ago, I was waiting on a lady that had a very young child, perhaps 6 mos old.
The baby was fussy and I made eye contact with him and took his hand in mine and he instantly got quiet and even began smiling and making happy baby noises...
The mom was a bit surprised and told me that I have a gift. I always seem to be able to relate well to kids. The exception being my own children who loathe me to the highest degree...but thats another story...
Those of you who work in Peds already please correct me...but I have to imagine that the most aggravating part of Peds is dealing with non-compliant parents. I think that Peds is all about helping the ones that you can help and understanding that you cannot help them all.
Peds Oncology, well, children get cancer....someone has to care for these angels in waiting.
I dunno, I have never worked as a Nurse I am only a student....but I really feel like I would love Peds.....
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
My first nursing job was at a Children's Hospital. I think it really does help to have a rapport with kids, don't be afraid to act a little silly with the kids sometimes, and be prepared to have your heart ripped out of your chest from time to time. One of the main reasons I became a nurse was my experiences of the nurses who took care of my little 4yo brother w/ leukemia (he's fine now). One nurse handed him a cup of liquid meds and proceeded make a deal with him. If he would drink the meds she would do a little dance as he slurped it down. He slurped, she danced !
I agree with saintplatypus. It's the parents who never came to visit their child that broke my heart. I'll take pain in the keester parents over the absent parents. Accidents (near-drownings, burns) are hard because the parents are guilt-stricken as well as sad. Then there is child abuse. It's real hard to go there. You can, you have to, but forget about completely detaching from that.
All in all, I say go for it, the good far outweighs the bad. Good luck!!:redpinkhe
nursel56
7,122 Posts
My first nursing job was at a Children's Hospital. I think it really does help to have a rapport with kids, don't be afraid to act a little silly with the kids sometimes, and be prepared to have your heart ripped out of your chest from time to time. One of the main reasons I became a nurse was my experiences of the nurses who took care of my little 4yo brother w/ leukemia (he's fine now). One nurse handed him a cup of liquid meds and proceeded make a deal with him. If he would drink the meds she would do a little dance as he slurped it down. He slurped, she danced !
I agree with saintplatypus. It's the parents who never came to visit their child that broke my heart. I'll take pain in the keester parents over the absent parents. Accidents (near-drownings, burns) are hard because the parents are guilt-stricken as well as sad. Then there is child abuse. It's real hard to go there. You can, you have to, but forget about completely detaching from that.
All in all, I say go for it, the good far outweighs the bad. Good luck!!:redpinkhe