2?s: Length of Orientation, Favorite Peds books

AmyD_RN · Feb 7, 2008

Hi there, not sure about anyone else but I am working at the moment on call for PEDS. I got 2 months orientation and there is a job opening coming up on day shift that they said I could have another 3 months if I wanted. That and I get to say when I want to be left alone on the floor by myself, if at the end of that 3 months I dont feel quite comfortable then I can have more!

There is no way I felt comfortable after just a few weeks!!!! Goodluck!

AmyD

Hello everyone,
I have a desire to change specialties from adult med to pediatrics. On average, how many weeks of orientation have you found is beneficial for current nurses wishing to switch specialties?
I found one hospital that said they offer 2 weeks training and I'll have people to support me as I work; but, I'm not too comfortable.
What should I be looking for as far as a safe orientation? I don't mind 3 weeks as long as I will be given classes to help me grow and practice safely.
If you don't have an answer to this question, that's okay. Could you share with me which pediatric books are among your favorite professional literature? And why are those books your favorites?
Thanks in advance for your advice/information.
BTW, I am applying for openings in large children hospitals.

littleneoRN · Feb 12, 2008

I work in a stepdown neonatal unit at a children's hospital. Even when we have nurses coming from peds floors in our facility, we give them a 2+ month orientation just like new graduate nurses. We have also recently had some adult med-surg nurses orient, and they recieved the same length orientation. Definitely there were certain things they learned faster or already were comfortable with due to their experience, but peds is a whole different world from adults. Going the other way, I would not be comfortable with a 2-3 week orientation if I switched to peds or adults at this point. I would be suspicious of a 2 week orientation, even if they say they will support you after you're out. Especially at a large children's hospital. Some small peds floors in adult hospitals see a more narrow range of diagnoses--tonsillectomies, appendix, etc., but at a large kid's facility, you are going to see kids with complex chronic diagnoses that don't show up in adult floors. Just like if I went to adults. That said, I encourage anyone interested to come to kids because working with kids and their families is amazing. Find a hospital that will give you at least 6 weeks of orientation, including some classroom time. Welcome to the world of kids!

gentle · Feb 14, 2008

I work in a stepdown neonatal unit at a children's hospital. Even when we have nurses coming from peds floors in our facility, we give them a 2+ month orientation just like new graduate nurses. We have also recently had some adult med-surg nurses orient, and they recieved the same length orientation. Definitely there were certain things they learned faster or already were comfortable with due to their experience, but peds is a whole different world from adults. Going the other way, I would not be comfortable with a 2-3 week orientation if I switched to peds or adults at this point. I would be suspicious of a 2 week orientation, even if they say they will support you after you're out. Especially at a large children's hospital. Some small peds floors in adult hospitals see a more narrow range of diagnoses--tonsillectomies, appendix, etc., but at a large kid's facility, you are going to see kids with complex chronic diagnoses that don't show up in adult floors. Just like if I went to adults. That said, I encourage anyone interested to come to kids because working with kids and their families is amazing. Find a hospital that will give you at least 6 weeks of orientation, including some classroom time. Welcome to the world of kids!

Thank you. And yes, I most certainly hope to join the world of kids within the next year. Say, what are your favorite books? And why?

I'm reading an LVN book to get an overview of pediatrics. I really like the book. It's fairly easy reading and gives me a brief "snapshot" of pediatric nursing without an overload of information. After this, I will move on through additional texts till I figure out exactly where I want to settle down in pediatrics. And, I do think this will be a good place to settle down for the next 15+ years. After that, . . . I don't know, and that's okay.

hisblueskies · Feb 16, 2008

Am switching over to Peds from Med Surg. Will be given approx 6 weeks orientation - more if I feel I need it and approx 4 days of classroom training. I feel that is adequate orientation. Will be working on post surgical floor.

JadedCPN, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2008

I have 2 years experience as an RN, and even though I've been peds the whole time, looking into new positions it seems that 10 weeks is the average orientation length, many of which giving the option to extend depending on your level of comfort.

hisblueskies · Apr 25, 2008

I was hired to work on a post surgical floor - previous experience was med-surg. My orientation is 330 hours with approximately 5 days of classroom training. Can have more time if I need it - hoping I don't. Peds nursing is very different from adult nursing - I'm seeing many different types of illnesses.

kristenncrn · Apr 29, 2008

Favorite books:

For BASICS and easy reading:

Pediatric Nursing Made Incredibly Easy (seriously! - it's super reader-friendly)

Pediatric Nurses Survival Guide (Rebeschi)

Textbook:

Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing

Drugs:

Prentice Hall Pediatric Drug Guide

Journal:

Pediatric Nursing (Janetti)

Critical Care:

Core Curriculum for Pediatric Critical Care Nursing (AACN)

Class:

PALS

But I'm a reader.