Very Disappointing.What Now?

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

Hey guys, just venting....

I recently relocated. I think I may have ruined my chances of ever working in pediatrics. A year ago (as a new grad) I had the option of working in peds or working at a really prestige hospital. It was a very difficult choice. Everyone told me to go for the prestigious hospital because it would look good on my resume and go for my passion later, so I did. I am regretting that decision now, especially because it was a specialty unit not requiring your "typical nursing skills". There is only 1 major pediatric hospital where i relocated to. The nurse recruiter contacted me personally (after my many professional stalking tactics lol) to tell they are not hiring ANYONE without experience. After reading the email, it literally bought tears to my eyes.

I am a realistic/rational person. I know I can't be be picky, and any experience is good experience. But I have no interest in adult care med/surg type floors. Unfortunately, I am not good at even faking it. I even sit and think of interview responses to jobs I don't want, and all I can think of is I just need/want a job. Yeah I can make up some BS, but I'm the type of person where you can tell my level interest/passion, it's unfortunate. I can't work somewhere that I know I won't be happy

What are some positions that would potentially benefit and get the skills needed to possibly get into pediatrics? Urgent Care? ED? What are some positions that will not be beneficial?

My focus is to still get into peds, but I need to smart about it.

Thanks for listening. I am just trying to not be discouraged. Any insight, guidance, words of wisdom are always appreciated.

Thank All

[klone, MSN, RN]

How about pediatric home health/PDN?

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

I'm just worried I might miss something without having proper pediatric training, especially if I'm going to be alone

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

It wouldn't be a high paying job but check for openings in a pediatrician's office. I'd be willing to bet though that those positions are few and far between. Another peds-centric job is school nursing, also not the best paying but for many the trade off of school hours employment and the opportunity to work with kids makes it worthwhile.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I would think that if you can't get onto a straight peds unit right now, the next best thing would be a mixed dept w/ some acuity. So like you suggested, ED or UC. An RN I know works in an UC clinic, and she says they do quite a bit skill- and triage-wise; they do IV fluids and antibiotics, wound care, nebs, etc. Pediatric home care would be a good option if your goal is to work with children, although I really don't know how the experience transfers to hospitals if your goal is to work in a children's hospital or peds floor/PICU within an across-the-lifespan hospital. Maybe some of the peds RNs/LPNs on the board could speak more to that.

[amoLucia]

summer camp nsg?

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

Thank you all. Thank you Here.I.Stand, Rn. Maybe I should repost this in the peds section. I agree though, not sure how camp or school nursing would necessarily transfer over

[Nienna Celebrindal]

Are there any kid based rehabs in your area? Mine has one, its LTC for children.

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

There are rehab facilities. But they only want PTs or OTs

[TXcatcher]

A friend of mine worked in an ER at a fairly big hospital, and only saw peds patients. Do you live in an area with multiple hospitals?

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

Yeah there are a few hospitals around here. Unfortunately, they all want a year of experience in Emergency nursing :-(