Thoughts of a Student Nurse

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2014

Well it can be very difficult for a new grad to get a job in pediatrics right out of school. So I would look at all areas of nursing as a place you could potentially be working, including geriatrics since as a new grad you may end up working there

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Feb 2, 2014

The negatives is not the patients themselves but the social background. I have recently just taken care of way too many NATs.

There will be stories that break your heart.

You will see NATs

You will see uninvolved parents.

You will see the social system (CPS/DHS) fail children.

Children are great to take care of....many times they have amazing families but then there are those that you leave believing that there should be a test to take before people can become parents

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2014

Child abuse, addicted babies, childhood cancer, children dying. Pediatrics isn't always rosy and happy.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2014

Parents.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 2, 2014

1. Having to discharge a great kid to home -- and to a lousy, abusive family.

2. Having other nurses think your job is easier because the patients are smaller and often "cute"

3. Having people in general think your specialty is easier and that peds nurses aren't as intelligent, etc. because "it's just like being a Mom." You'd be surprised how many people think that what the average mother does is the same thing as being a peds nurse

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 2, 2014

1. Having to discharge a great kid to home -- and to a lousy, abusive family.
2. Having other nurses think your job is easier because the patients are smaller and often "cute" 3. Having people in general think your specialty is easier and that peds nurses aren't as intelligent, etc. because "it's just like being a Mom."
You'd be surprised how many people think that what the average mother does is the same thing as being a peds nurse

Well said, as well as the other posters. :yes:

Being that most of my nursing career has been in pediatrics, it can be the most stressful experience in nursing, because it is NOT easier, children are NOT "little adults", they decline faster than adults, so you have to be quick on your feet, and be knowledgable to what is going on, even for the "expert parents".

Once one is aware and can be prepared of the challenges, the challenges can bring the positives.

You can think HOLY.... when it's hitting the fan and you don't know if this child is going to make it through, or the family is just more dramatic than your favorite soap opera, or when you see a child experience PTSD after a medical trauma; you may want to run out of there...or you stay and nurse.

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Feb 3, 2014

Children with chronic conditions. Type 1 diabetes is difficult enough for an adult to understand and manage; tiny bodies need 1/2 units of insulin, constant monitoring, vigilance (I don't know how those parents do it, honestly).

Other conditions are life-limiting, like cystic fibrosis. Working with teens that have a life expectancy only into their 20's was eye-opening for me.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2014

Children with chronic conditions. Type 1 diabetes is difficult enough for an adult to understand and manage; tiny bodies need 1/2 units of insulin, constant monitoring, vigilance (I don't know how those parents do it, honestly).
Other conditions are life-limiting, like cystic fibrosis. Working with teens that have a life expectancy only into their 20's was eye-opening for me.

I actually enjoy taking care of pediatric diabetics, as unlike the vast majority of other illnesses we see that can have complications, I always instilled in family's that if you follow the diet and treatment plan provided, diabetes doesn't have to be a death sentence

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2014

The negatives is not the patients themselves but the social background. I have recently just taken care of way too many NATs.
There will be stories that break your heart.
You will see NATs
You will see uninvolved parents.
You will see the social system (CPS/DHS) fail children.
Children are great to take care of....many times they have amazing families but then there are those that you leave believing that there should be a test to take before people can become parents

Ding, we have a winner. About 10% of my caseload currently have open cases with CPS and there are several more that are heading that way. I had one patient (who I currently do not follow for reasons that are too complicated to get into here) who was the worst case of medical neglect I've ever seen. CPS wasn't concerned because the apartment was clean the last time they did a home visit. Literally, this kid wasn't being fed or given his meds (and was seizing because of non-therapeutic drug levels) and they couldn't have cared less.

I have another kid now whose mother is trying to steal his Make-A-Wish and use it as a free vacation for herself.

The most obvious negative in my line of work is that many of these kids die. And they suffer before they die.

MedicalPartisan · Feb 9, 2014

I haven't read the thread and am unsure if it's been mentioned... but parents. Parents. Parents. Parents. There is no doubt that many of your encounters with them will be positive, but you will experience quite the opposite at times. That said, I've never worked anywhere other than the ED so perhaps other specialties differ... but I doubt it.

AJ2016 · Mar 13, 2014

Thank you so much for all the great responses! I will definitely take these all into consideration when deciding where to go with my degree. Even though there are many sad stories that go with pediatrics, I believe it I will still find a love in helping kids. Again, thank you so much for the replies!