Pre-nursing student interested in pediatric nursing!! HELP

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jun 8, 2006

If you get a BSN, I think you would be in pretty good shape for a peds office job. Many offices employ LPN's/LVN's or MA's, so an RN with a BSN would certainly qualify for most jobs. The sticking point is likely to be the pay. It's often significantly lower than what you can expect in a hospital, but of course there are always exceptions.

MissJoRN, RN · Jun 9, 2006

I agree with the above poster... just wondering, though, where your plan is coming from. (and as a prenursing student you'll be amazed how many times you'll change your mind or the things you'll be drawn to that you thought you'd hate) Are you really attracted to the idea of working in a doctor's office? Or are you just reasonable sure you do not want to work in a hospital? What are your reasons (no you don't need to tell me, just think about them as you go through school. Maybe write them down on a goals sheet.

For instance, if you don't like "hospital hours" or general peds floor nursing you might like short procedure/ same day surgery/ outpatient unit in a pediatric facility. Pay attention to what they do there... briefly admit (mostly "healthy") patients, maybe start IVs, give a few meds (light sedation, pain, nausea), maybe draw some bloodwork, take vitals, then send the patient to their procedures or tests, then care for them when they come back (more vitals, meds) then send them home. These departments are typically open M-F 6-10 and great for nurses who have strong people skills, like to see a lot of different people, but don't like very sick patients.

What about peds homecare or private duty? That's another peds specialty that not everyone knows about. Patients might be very sick and high tech or stable. You might be in a position to see many patients every day for short care like dressings or IVs or you might really bond with the same child every day or every Monday. (I always encourge nursing students who can work as aides to look for jobs in this field while in school!)

There are other "non-traditional" jobs, they're just escaping me or maybe they're a "secret" from me... nursing careers are full of "best kept secrets" LOL

wackyj2000 · Jun 9, 2006

Thanks for the advice! Yea, I was thinking the hospital environment to start off with but then do the office environment. But, i may even like the hospital environment! Im voulenteering at Mass General in the pediatrics department in 2 weeks. Im pretty excited. How did know what department you wanted to work in? After your clinicals? I was also interested in the OR. Somneone told me i would be really good there. Maybe thats because i disected a baby pig, took out all of its insides, and and started playing with them for fun. Hahaha. I think that stuff is cool. :lol2:

kids · Jun 10, 2006

I am an ADN nurse with a background in peds office.

The only BSNs I have worked with were department heads.

I've never worked in a practice that hired new grads, all of them I have worked for required at least a couple years of experience as a nurse and prefer that some of it be in either peds or some sort of medical office.

I "got my foot in the door" because of several years working peds private duty part of it doing case/disease management.

Traditionally the pay is lower for any office than in the hospitals, in my area by as much as $3-$4 less an hour.

As for duties - I've done just about everything; phone triage/advice to IVs, blood draws, injections, catheters, NG placement, GT replacement, wound care, suture removal, ECGs. And a lot of teaching.