Private Pediatric Practice

[ace003]

I have been working at a pediatric office for over 4 years. I started as a receptionist and went to nursing school in the interim. Now that I am graduating in 2 months my job wants to me to stay at the practice as a pediatric RN. I am really excited that they want me here but I think that there is a difference in working at a private office as an RN instead of a hospital. The practice I work for has never had a Peds nurse, only medical assistants. I would be the first and only one which puts a lot of pressure on me. I have no children of my own and I am afraid that certain skills and knowledge will start to become a distant memory since there are limited things to do at a pediatric practice. Any suggestions?

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

You are right, they are two very different jobs! I think it's a good idea to get a foundation from time in the trenches at a hospital. I just do. I think it will teach you things that you will not be able to learn at the primary care level. But if you love where you work, and you love what you do, and you are happy with that level of care - then by all means, stay! There are nurses everywhere, in all kinds of different scenarios, and what works for one does not necessarily work for the next. It's really up to you.

[ace003]

Thank you for your thoughts. I will keep them in my mind when I have to make my decision.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Any job as a new grad is a good thing. If you can get a job in acute care, and that is what you want to do - great. Acute care is not for everyone.

[Biglos94]

Hi,

I am a Pediatric RN and that is where I began my nursing career in a private office. I started as an LPN and went back got RN and practiced at the same clinic as an RN. I was the only RN that ever practiced at the clinic. It was wonderful I enjoyed it thorought; however, it was repetitive, i seen the same illness everyday, so now Im in the hospital on a Pediatric unit and Im learning alot more. there are a variety of illness we treat and I wish I had done this first before going to a private clinic. I do miss the mon-fri schedule very much to where I will be soon returning to a clinic after I receive much knowledge from the peds unit. also the pay in hospital is alot more for me than a private setting. so its just up to you whether you want to keep your consistent schedule and if youre ok with the pay and the limited knowledge you would have. I wish you the best on your decision!!!

[ace003]

...it was repetitive, i seen the same illness everyday, so now Im in the hospital on a Pediatric unit and Im learning alot more. there are a variety of illness we treat and I wish I had done this first before going to a private clinic....

That is one thing that worries me. I am afraid of losing certain skills because in the private setting there is not a need to practice them. I do agree working the hospital should come first because of the experience that is gained with that type of setting. What if I am not able to offer much in the private setting because even though I would be an RN I would have no experience just textbook stuff?