nursesue2013

I used to be concerned about not having hospital experience when applying for jobs. I am a second career nurse so I won't have the career longevity as younger nurses. I knew I wanted to be a pediatric nurse but kept hearing about how you need to have all of this experience first. My first job out of nursing school was at a residential facility for children with complex medical and developmental diagnoses. I was there two years before going into inpatient child/adolescent psych which I thought sounded interesting (oh boy no!) My hats off to psych nurses. But those experiences did help me get a job in ambulatory pediatric cardiology at a large university. I think it helped that I had done my inpatient pediatric clinicals there and was somewhat familiar with the system. I was there for almost four years before moving and getting my dream job in ambulatory developmental and behavioral pediatrics at a major children's hospital. As a mom of a child with intellectual disabilities, this job is the perfect fit for me. I know look back very proudly on my career and can see how every job I held has helped me advance.

I do sometimes feel like I missed out by not working inpatient hospital. I was a second career nurse and always wanted to do pediatrics. My first job was in a residential care facility for pediatrics, then I did adolescent psych. After that I was in pediatric cardiology in the clinic setting. I have recently moved to a position in developmental and behavioral pediatrics. Each job gave me valuable experience that led to my next job and I did get to specialize in pediatrics. However, I am considering getting my FNP and I hope that my lack inpatient experience won't hinder me.

I just finished my BSN and will be having it added to my work badge. I worked hard for these credentials and no one should make you feel less of a nurse or person by commenting on your degree. You worked hard for your degree, a BSN is listed as one of the most difficult degrees to obtain. I'm not saying I am better than any other nurse. I try to take away something new that I have learned from every nurse I work with. I have been lucky that I have worked in very supportive environments with great people. I have noticed, however, that the nurses that make the comments are the ones that have issues. Be proud!

I never really thought of this issue from the nurses point of view, so I can see why some nurses do not want to work with students if this the behavior being displayed. I graduated in 2013 and am a second career nurse (yes, I am 40+). I could always tell when a nurse did not want to work with students. However, I was always respectfully and certainly did not act like I knew it all. I did however, have classmates that took that attitude and it p***ed me off. One classmate was asked to leave three weeks before graduation because of her tardiness and unprofessional behavior during the last semester of clinics and precepting. She had to retake the final semester again. Believe me if this nurse ever walked into my room to provide care, I would politely request another nurse. The patients we were working with certainly did not have to agree to have a student provide their care. I always felt grateful for the patients that allowed us to work with them and always thanked them at the end of my shift, as well as the patient's nurse. I have since had great experiences working with the nursing students that come through my facility.

I graduated 2 years ago, a later in life nurse. I always thought I wanted to work in the hospital setting. After hearing many of my classmates talk about many of the points in this article, I am so glad I ended up where I did. I always wanted to be a pediatric nurse and I ended up in a pediatric immediate care facility. Got the best of both worlds, peds and a great place to work. I don't think I would consider working in a hospital unless things really do change. I just wish I knew what it would take to get the necessary changes made! I really do worry about patients in the hospital setting.