Trying to find a career with chronically ill kids.

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2014

Your desire to educate and treat them would absolutely point to nursing as a good option. The problem you'd have is that the market is extremely competitive for new nurses nowadays, and that's not to mention getting accepted into school, paying off any loans, etc.

The one thing you'd have to ask yourself is if you'd be OK working a job that you didn't necessarily want to work before you got into peds. It's competitive to get into pediatrics--even more so than most other nursing specialties--and many people find themselves working adult med-surg or something similar before getting to their "dream specialty". If you can answer yes, you'd be OK, then start to look into it. If you don't think you could handle that for a few years until you had some experience under your belt, then seriously think about what your goals are and reevaluate your decision to enter nursing.

enuf_already · Apr 2, 2014

I have been interested in pediatric nursing for a while now but I want to make sure that is what I want to do that will fulfill my desires for a career. I want to help children who are chronically ill. (Auto-immune system diseases, diabetes, MS, fibromyalgia, etc.) I want to be able to counsel them and help them through it but I also want to medically help them as a nurse would do. I know this is vague, but as you can see I just want to find a career that would allow me to help these kids or medically help them. (or both). I feel like nursing is my best option and I am interested in working in the short stay unit where kids get treatments or come out of surgery. Is there another area of specialization that would be similar to what I want to do? Thank you.[/quote']
Chronically ill children who require hospitalization, in my experience don't have short hospital stays. Many of them feel as if the hospital or specialty clinic is their home away from home. Some other careers in peds besides being a nurse: psychologist, child life specialist, tutor, research assistant, therapist (PT, OT, speech, respiratory), radiology tech, etc.
If you have a local children's hospital, I suggest you visit their website to see the types of job openings they offer. This may be a starting point. You can also call their HR department and ask. Some pediatric hospitals offer summer volunteer opportunities or paid internships (in non-nursing areas) to allow prospective employees a chance to experience working at their facility. Good luck to you!

RunBabyRN · Apr 3, 2014

Another possibility is working as a home health nurse for a company that does pediatrics.

I totally agree with SoldierNurse22's point about the job market right now. Most new grads are kind of taking what they/we can get. It may or may not be in our DREAM field of nursing, but sometimes paying bills is more important than being exactly the type of nurse you always dreamed of. Being open to other areas will serve you well. For example, I know I want to be a certified nurse-midwife, so my ideal units on graduation are L&D and postpartum. Thankfully, I DO have an offer in PP at a hospital I like, but I am also applying to psych, med/surg and other positions. Realistically, as a new grad per diem nurse, I will frequently be called off of shifts and can't really rely on any set hours for awhile, so two jobs is my best bet. I know where I plan to be eventually, but I can hang in other areas as well. If you're not willing to do that, it's going to be really hard for you to get your career moving as a nurse.

Good luck!

kaydensmom01 · Apr 3, 2014

You may like nursing, but as others said you have to be willing to work in areas that you do not like until you get into peds, and that can take years.

unionnurse12 · Apr 10, 2014

Child Life Services is a great field BUT it is more competitive getting into the field than into nursing school! I'm currently taking a course in Child Life out of the 30 students only a hand full will receive the required 480 internship hrs to become eligible to sit for the exam life exam to become a child life specialist

KTK157 · Apr 10, 2014

This has child life specialist written all over it!!

unionnurse12 · Apr 10, 2014

Child Life Council : The Child Life Profession

This could give you a pretty good overview of Child Life

If you have any questions feel free to PM me!

desereelynn · Apr 22, 2014

Careers in helping chronically ill children?

I am very passionate about helping kids who are chronically ill. I've been through it so I understand the psychological changes first hand, along with the emotional challenges they face. I was originally looking into becoming a child life specialist but I am looking for more options. I'm majoring in child development and wanted to know what route I could take for other careers with what I want to do. Would social work be something to look into? I just stumbled across it but don't know too much about it. It seemed like it is similar to my interests though! So I'm also wondering if I can get a masters in Social Work with a bachelors in child development? I've also been considering pediatric nursing, I'm just nervous about the usual stuff you hear about. (Giving IV's, blood drawing, etc.)

Any career ideas for me to look into would be awesome. Thank you :)

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Apr 22, 2014

So you not in nursing school or considering going into nursing?

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Apr 22, 2014

What do you want to do???

Do you want information on pediatric nursing? Or nursing in general...

I'm only asking because it seems as though you are already in a major that per you,

won't be dealing with the pretty minor aspects that you feel apprehensive about if you wanted to do pediatric nursing; albeit if you decided to become a nurse that you end up initially as a pediatric nurse (it is still possible).

As a pediatric nurse with 9 years experience in working with chronically ill kids, it is very complex, yet I enjoy what I do; I have worked from home care, medical day care, and post acute, even dabbled in Critical Care. I enjoy still learning from my pts; you also have to be prepared to engage with family dynamics as well; some family dynamics are less than ideal; but that's the thing with nursing; you are engaging with people in their most vulnerable states where a TON of issues come to play.

I suggest you research what you truly want to do, per your market and what do so see yourself doing; that will make the difference in whatever you decide.

Best wishes.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 22, 2014

If this specific population is your goal - it may be a very challenging, "long and winding road" to get there via nursing because all US pre-licensure programs produce generalists; specialization only occurs at the graduate (post licensure) level. There are a limited number of organizations that deal with this population - chronic illness is managed in outpatient (not hospital) environments, primarily via tax-supported or 'charity' organizations. Bottom line? It may be easier to pursue another route - one of the rehab therapies that typically works with chronically ill children.

We have a Shriner's hospital in Houston... that provides extensive outpatient services. You may want to contact a similar organization to find out more about the professions that they employ. I also know a Kinesiologist who works with pediatric cardiac patients - mostly genetic anomalies - to develop customized physical therapy/exercise programs for the little munchkins. She teaches the parents & does home visits. Most organizations that have significant pedi populations also have Play Therapists &/or Child Life specialists in order to try to 'normalize' the acute care environment, but they usually only work with the kiddos while they are inpatients.

Best of luck to you in your future career.