Tips for surviving adult floors when you want to be in peds?

Published

Specializes in psych, ltc, case management.

I've only had three days of clinicals.

I used to be a teacher, and almost every job I have ever had since I could work was working with kids.

Right now I'm on the adult oncology floor. I think there is a lot of honor in nursing these patients, but I'm not feeling that it is for me. It's alright, but it's only confirming for me that my heart lies somewhere in peds, or NICU, maybe even L&D.

Yesterday I got to spend about a half an hour in peds with the respiratory therapist and I felt like a fish in water. I have no hesitance when it comes to talking to kids, and even talking to the anxious parents didn't feel scary. Nothing like going into the Oncology rooms. I held down a screaming 2 year old with pneumonia while she got an Oxygen mask with two other people..and I loved it!:rolleyes:

So how do I get through these adult clinical rotations until I graduate? Next semester we do peds, but everything else is with adults. Advice?

:redpinkhe

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, OB Triage.

I feel almost the same way. I am sick of medsurg and oncology. It's just not my cup of tea...but I take comfort in knowing that it's only for this semester and next. And I can do anything for 2 semesters. Just grin and bear it, there's still a lot of learning experiences to be had!

IMHO

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.
So how do I get through these adult clinical rotations until I graduate? Next semester we do peds, but everything else is with adults. Advice?

You remember that this is only temporary and keep your eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Heme/Onc/BMT.

All experience is useful and good.

I graduated in May with full intentions of being a peds nurse, but guess what? Jobs at all of our local childrens hospitals dried up and now I'm working on an adult med/surg floor.

It's not fulfilling "the dream" yet, but I'll get there. I'm learning a lot, getting a lot of practice, and some day I will indeed work on a peds unit. I promised my manager 18 months of employment, and after that I'm most likely out of there. However, you just have to take it for what it is - a learning opportunity.

No peds nurse ever exists in an environment solely of children. You interact with parents and other adult family members as well as members of the health care team. I'm taking this as good practice in communicating with adults.

Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You grow when you leave your comfort zon:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, ER.

That is exactly how I felt when I had to do a semester each of Peds and OB:crying2: There are several things to look at when you are having a hard time. 1) If you want to be a nurse, you have to complete all of the clinicals (reminder given by my husband when I was crying my eyes out and whining "I don't want to do OB"), 2) There are still many things to learn in every clinical, 3) Best of all, IT ISN'T FOREVER!!!:D

It is hard when you don't feel like you are where you should be, but we all have to do it. Keep your chin up and remember that Peds next semester will be your reward for making it through this semester.

Ann

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgical.

Funny, I used to teach too. I miss the kids terribly, but adults aren't so bad either. :specs: Bottom line, you never know what will tickle your fancy, so try to learn from every rotation, and be open to it. I thought FOR SURE labor and delivery, maternity, nursery...and I now work on a surgical floor now and LOVE IT. I was bored in maternity and hated L and D. You just never know, and luckily, you can work in any and all of these areas with that degree...nursing is wonderful, isn't it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have a teaching degree in Elementary/Middle and taught some too and now I am on Mother/Baby and LOVE IT. You just work your way through Med/Surg in nursing school..everyone does. I worked Med/Surg for a year after graduation and learned and mastered almost every skill I have today. It was hard but I know how to care for many kinds of patients. OB used to be just deliver patients but many women are delaying having kids and our population is older now and many woman have huge health problems--diabetes, high blood pressure, etc so not only do I care for postpartum but also manage medical issues.

Learn everything you can..take nothing for granted. One day you will get the job you want.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/ER.

You may think you want to work in peds, but keep an open mind. I was sure, 100% posisitive I was only going to work in OB. That was my goal. Guess what, I graduated and there were no OB jobs, but the ICU mgr talked to me and I thought "well I will give it a shot" I figured I would work 6months in ICU, after 6months there was an OB job, the OB mgr was sure I would apply for it, but I didnt. I honestly could not imagine working outside of ICU now, now I say I am going to do ICU for 3 years and then maybe switch to OB.

Best of luck--You have an exciting future no matter what path you may take!~!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion