Really want to work in PEDS. Is this possible?

Dorito, ASN, RN · Sep 30, 2005

I started in Peds when I became a nurse 25+ years ago. I didn't have a good orientation and was a green grad on my own on nights but I enjoyed it. I was a peds nurse long before I was a Mom and the experience sure helped. If you love kids you'll be great in peds. Good luck!

Jolie, BSN · Sep 30, 2005

Hi everyone. I am going to school for my RN in January. I have always wanted to be a PEDS nurse. Is it hard to get into PEDS at your hospital? What are the pros and cons of being a PEDS nurse?

Peds jobs are little harder to come by, simply because fewer of them exist. Most hospitalizations occur during the first 28 days of life (in the NICU), or in the final years of life (adult med/surg and ICU). Most peds units amount to a small fraction of the overall beds within a hospital.

That said, it is not impossible to start out in peds. Consider applying to a large teaching hospital with NICU, PICU and general peds units, or a Children's Hospital. Your odds of getting a position as a new grad, and (just as important) a good, thorough orientation are better in these settings.

Many community hospitals combine peds with med/surg. Not an ideal setting in which to learn the specialty.

Good luck to you!

rn in 3 years · Sep 30, 2005

Wouldn't mind starting out in the NICU either but I figure they would not hire a new grad for that. We do have a childrens hospital but it is about 30 minutes away (if the freeway isn't jammed :angryfire ). What about starting out in the newborn nursery? Any cons to that?

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 30, 2005

Newborn nursery jobs are pretty popular ... and therefore sometimes hard to get as a new job. Is there any chance you could move a little closer to the children's hospital? Such a move seems like a small sacrifice to make for being able to get the job of your choice.

llg

Jolie, BSN · Sep 30, 2005

Wouldn't mind starting out in the NICU either but I figure they would not hire a new grad for that. We do have a childrens hospital but it is about 30 minutes away (if the freeway isn't jammed :angryfire ). What about starting out in the newborn nursery? Any cons to that?

Most level III NICUs welcome new grads. They typically have large staffs that can easily "absorb" new grads for lengthy orientation. Also, the success and retention of NICU nurses is higher among new grads, as opposed to RNs who have come from other specialties. NICU nursing is a world unto itself. Working with adults first is not only not beneficial, it can actually hinder learning, as the nurse has to "unlearn" old ways of doing things and "re-program" his/her thinking to neonates. Peds and maternity nursing are the specialties that translates best to the NICU.

Normal newborn nursery jobs have largely gone the way of the horse and buggy. Most hospitals offer mother-baby care, in which the nurse cares for both mom and baby. This leads to much better continuity of care and greater patient and staff satisfaction than the old L&D, post-partum, and nursery set-up. You would learn both post-partum and infant care. This is also a good preparation for the NICU, as you would be well-versed in the care of the normal newborn, and possibly in neonatal resuscitation as well.

Don't rule out the Children's Hospital. A 30 minute commute is not that bad, and with the possibility of off shifts, you may not find traffic to be a problem. Good luck!