Question for Pediatric Nurses

I'm not a peds nurse - just a student. But I'm guessing you'll probably do a peds rotation once in school, maybe try to get an externship or PCA job in that area, or perhaps try to get a preceptorship? Good luck! :)

I have a question....I am a new nursing student and I want to go into the pediatric field. Is there anything I should do now (I am trying to finish up my pre-reqs) before I actually start in the nursing program? What should I do once I get in the Nursing program to advance myself in this direction? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks so much,

Lynn :)

I am a senior in nursing school. I want to be a pediatric RN. I got a tech job at the children's hospital in my area. This would be a great way to gain experience. I don't know how long the peds rotation is at your school, but we only did a few weeks.

Definitely try to get a job or externship in peds. You need to know if youy can handle peds- and all that comes with it. As far as school goes- when you do your rotations and lectures, focus on developmental milestones, and age appropriate behaviors. It's big on the boards, and in reality too.

I became a nurse last December but knew before I started school that I wanted to do Peds. So, I went to a hospital where I lived and applied for a job in Peds. They hired me and I was a tech for 3 years until I graduated. You may try that. The experience is great.

Definitely try to get involved in an externship program or try to work as a clinical technician. It will give you a great feel for working with the kids in the hospital setting along with the parents. You may get one rotation with peds in school, but not a whole lot. It was enough for me to know that was the area I wanted to go into, though. I didn't have any experience in the hospital setting and I wished I had when I started. Good luck!

Yes, I think it is a good idea to work as a PCA in a pediatric hospital first. I graduate in May 2005 and I got a job as a PCA in a pediatric hospital in December 2004. I completed my peds rotation before starting in peds. Working in the hospital for a month gave me much more exposure than my clinicals gave me.

Also, working in the hospital will help you to become familiar with the hospital and the various units in the hospital. I tried applying as a PCA on units that I felt I would be interested in. (like gen medicine, neuro, gen. surg.) I am thankful that I did this because the units I thought I would like to work on, now I have no desire to work in. It helps you to see what staffing is going to be like, the patients you will be working with as well as the people you will be working with. I think all of these things will come into play when you decide (or not decide) to apply for a nursing job on a unit.

Just my opinion.

These are good suggestions. If you are able to get a preceptorship clinical at any point during school, try to get one in Peds. I did so for my very last clinical rotation and ended up getting my first job offer there before I even graduated.