thinking about going into pediatrics

[katynurs22]

So let me just start by giving a little background about myself. I've been an RN for 3 years, and had experience as a PCA at a stepdown pediatric unit my last semester in school. Then, when I graduated, I wasn't sure if pediatrics was for me so I decided to go the safe route and accepted a med/surg Tele Rn position , I did that for almost 1 yr (10 mths). After that found a job at a hospital that was only 15 minutes away in a gyn/postpartum floor, but it was a 11p-7a position. I loved that floor , but it was hard on my marriage so after 1 yr I got tired of working nights and luckily I was hired for an elementary school nurse position. It had its pros and cons but I liked it overall (no weekends, no holidays, summers off :). I did school nursing for 1 yr and a half and left to open up a food business ,l always had an itch to do it and finally did but it's been hard and I'm working 65+ hours a week.

I've thought about selling the business and getting back into nursing. So I'm wondering if the experience I've had will help me land a pediatric RN job. Im a little scared since I've been out of the hospital setting for 2 years. I would like a PRN or part-time position. Im sure during orientation I will have to be there full time to train , and hopefully will be allowed to work PRN - I'm looking for flexibility and planning on starting a family so I find it better to get a babysitter 2-3 x's a week rather than 5 days a week. I've been brushing up on my acute care skills through online CEU's , and plan on reviewing my nursing school material on pediatrics. Any other suggestions?

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

You do have 3 years of nursing experience, which is good, but you also have a history of job hopping. Not so good. Be prepared to address this question during a job interview because they will be looking for someone who plans to stick around.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Do some volunteer work with the hospital of your choice to show them that your interest in a job is due to a true interest in their patients -- and not just a way for you to earn some quick cash until you find something else to do. Your history of job-hopping makes it appear as if you use jobs as a way of meeting immediate needs only, abandoning them when they no longer suit your exact current desires. It might help to show a deep committment to children's health by getting involved in it. You could then talk about how you "missed the kids" and wanted a peds job to fulfill that committment.

[anon456, BSN, RN]

See if you can get a seasonal or PRN position at the children's hospital to get your foot in the door. If they like you there may be positions available by the end of the season. You can also try for peds home health nursing to get your foot in the door. Apply for part time respite care nursing to get the peds experience, then apply at a hospital.

[katynurs22]

Thank you all! I realized I have job hopped , it was not my plan :/ (except for med/surg... most hospitals would take anyone with 6-12 months med/surg experience, so I knew i was doing it for the experience). I have found a buyer for my business , so I will most likely go back to nursing. I do want my nursing career move to be stable and long-term. Since there are no open positions for school nursing, Im going to sub for the district and seek PRN or volunteer work, whatever I can find, so I can get "my foot in the door" , I'll get exposure to the area and see where I want to end up.

Thank you for your suggestions .