PediMommy

Learn all the vaccines & what they are used to protect against, as well as, combo vaccines. Take time drawing them up until you have it down, this may take months. Don't worry, better safe than sorry! You no longer have to aspirate with vaccines. This is a newer guidline yet nurses who have been around for years still do. Some parents will talk your ear off so learning to get out of the room respectfully is key to keeping the flow going. When peoples kids get sick all common sense goes out the window so explain things very friendly and in terms they can understand. Multi-tasking is key! Keep your rooms full at all times so the doctor always has someone to see, don't make them wait on you. You'll be fine, the vaccines are the hardest part to learn. The schedule, combos, different vials to choose amongst so many in the fridge etc.

I agree hospital first then private practice experience wise. But there is a pretty good pay cut going from hospital to private practice depending on the organization so that is something to think about too.

It happens! Pedi levels are a little different that adults. As is learning the ins & outs of pediatrics. I would ask the doctor if next time you can knock on the door & interrupt him with results or when results are questionable. In time you will learn your doctors and know what to interrupt them with etc. If the result was 400 you probably would of got him right away but while the result was slightly elevated it wasn't that high especially if the child ate an hour ago. It is easy to get distracted because there is a lot going on & so many things to focus on & with EMR's (i'm assuming that's what you have) it' harder because you can't just hold a medical record in your hand until the doctor comes out. I write it on a sticky and tape it to my pen or something to remind me to ask my doctors...because I too get pulled & distracted and forget. Please don't be hard on yourself, you will get it & feel confident soon. It takes time because it is a big switch. Remember we are here for our patients and even if doctors close communication if you know it needs to be addressed just get them out of the room. Please don't let one doctor getting upset get you down. It's one mistake we all make them, he will learn to trust you as you gain pediatric knowledge & confidence.

I've been in Pedi primary care for 9 years now & I absolutely love it. Working in primary care you're able to build relationships with patients and families. There is stress at times but nothing like the hospital. EEG might be a little less stressful but very redundant. Primary care different things all day long. You do have to give shots (depending what you are doing) and that may be stressful at first. Hope this helps

I've worked in Pedi offices for 9 years, hope my insight helps. Find pedi clinics where you want to work (phone book, google, etc) take your resume and ask to speak with the office manager. My last clinic (i was a clinical manager) we use to receive resumes via fax daily & they usually hit the trash can. When you present your resume in person it show initative & puts a face with the resume. Dress professionally (I've had people come to interviews in jeans). I would suggest finding larger clinics/companies who have pediatric departments or large group practices. Children's hospital's typically have speciality clinics they associate with. Also, check out the clinic/office website sometimes they have openings but are not advertising. Look on your local medical society websites sometimes they have links to job openings. The jobs are out there but you really really have to look. Also, your first pedi/clinic job might not give you the best $ but once you have the experience you can pretty much demand anything! Also, know the vaccine schedule & combo vaccines. Very improtant if your working with a primary care office. What city/state are you in? Best of Luck!!!

I'd get PALS certified. It's not as scary as it sounds. I have both my PALS & ACLS and it helps when getting a job & making more $. I'd do it in person, it's more expensive but you get hands on with mega codes etc. Check with local fire dept or EMS agency they should have some classes that are resonable.

I've always dosed Tylenol at 15mg/kg q 4. I find it funny that a 1 month old baby with 102 fever isn't concerning. Whether or not the baby is eating normally doesn't really come into play. They would get a full sepsis work up from any pedi doc/doc I've ever worked with. Also, while fever is good it also cause pt have discomforts other that irritability. Just because a child isn't irritable doesn't mean they're not in pain. They maybe to uncomfortable to act out what we consider being irritable or just handle pain differently.

I have worked in a pediatric clinics for over 7 years. All 3 clinics we're very similar. You have a daily schedule with a mixture of well child exams and ill visits. You may see anything from cough & cold to a child having a seizure. It's a very fast paced enviornment, non-stop all day! Be ready to run :-) Main thing I would study is vaccinations. There are so many and there are a lot of different combo vaccines. I think this is probably the most important thing to learn & it takes awhile. You can find the schedule here http://aapredbook.aappublications.org/resources/IZSchedule0-6yrs.pdf There is usually a triage nurse taking calls which you may have to do at times. Triage can be overwhelming at first but as your skills and knowledge progress you confidence will too! Good luck!

It really depends on the hospitals. Once you have experience it won't be as big of a deal as it is right now for you. Before I became an RN (AD) I was an LVN who was hired as a clinical manager over 4 RN's (3 with BSN) and 2 LVN's. Of course the RN's weren't to happy at first but once they got to know me and that I knew my stuff it didn't matter. It's all about experience! So apply, obtain the experience and become great at being a Pedi nurse. Then you will have nothing to worry about.

Another thing to explore is being a nurse in a clinic. We all have certain areas we love and you have to keep looking until you find what's right for you!

The more you use them the easier it gets! But it definetely depends where you work. My favorite is SOB (shortness of breath). Funny thing is you'll be writing RN after signing your name every where. Oh and with (c with line above it) also.

I am glad you are going to leave! You will be able to find a office that respects and pays you more. I wouldn't tell them why you are really leaving because you never know when you might need them. References etc. You don't know who they know either. Don't burn your bridge kind of thing. Good luck to you and am happy to hear you are moving on. Find a job you enjoy & it's not like your working at all.

I have been a nurse for 8 years Pedi for 6 years. I double check myself everytime I calcuate out medications, give vaccines, etc. When there are so many distractions you have to step back and go over it all again in you head. Everyone makes mistakes the main thing is that you realize your mistake and speak up immediately!! It is scarey at times especially when you first start out. I was the same way but the fear settles when you become more confident in your skills. New situations will come up daily and make sure you ask questions or look things up. I can tell your a good nurse because I don't think a bad nurse would be worrying or stressing out! Good luck!

My synagis rep shows up once a season only when her manager is with her. Then has the nerve to act like were friends. Get outta her lady and let me get my piles of paperwork submitted before the season starts.....lol ;-)

If it is a pedi clinic they will probably ask about vaccines so make sure you know the schedule. Triage know things about colic, head injuries, vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration, emergency issue etc. I love working in a pedi clinic and I hope you get this job!!!