What Made You Decide on Peds?

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2011

Well, I am graduating here in 9 days... :) ... but my heart has definitely called me to pediatrics. I might not be able to enter the workforce as a peds nurse, but it will be where I end up, for sure!

It is hard... but the rewards, IMO, are great. I just finished up my preceptorship on a unit in our local Childrens Hospital and the time I spent there was amazing. The kids that hated me/were upset - they didn't bother me. :) Kids are kids. Honestly, the part that makes it hardest for me are seeing the kids in bad situations, or with absent parents. Nothing like being scared in the hospital, and having your parents leave you to go out partying. It happens.

I can't explain why I want to go into pediatrics other than knowing it's where I belong. Kids are awesome. They just are. :)

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2011

It was the only job I was offered. I liked my peds clinical so decided to go for it and it turns out I love it!

justmeinlv · Dec 10, 2011

It was a 15 year old with a traumatic brain injury who I took care of for months at a rehabilitation center. In the months she was with us she made zero progress and was what most would consider a vegetable. I got an update on her years later and she is now walking and talking. Kids are amazing and pediatric nursing is rewarding. Today I work as a nurse in a pediatric ICU and could not be happier with life.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2012

The simple reason: I hate adults.

anon456, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2012

I actually did not want to do peds all through nursing school. I was hoping to work with older adults. I had a child who was very sick for years and got me into nursing and I felt I was done with sick kids. But after several months of looking I got a job in peds nursing. And I loved it. Kids are so innocent and you don't get mad at them for not taking care of themselves like you can with some adults. I love educating their parents, and I find they trust me more when I tell them that I too had a sick child years ago and I know how scary it can be, and how grueling. It's neat to be able to swaddle and rock an infant to sleep so the exhausted parents can rest. I really did not think I would like it but I guess Someone thought I needed to be in peds. :-)

wooh, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2012

I like to torture children. Poke them with needles. Shove tubes up their nose. It's fun!

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2012

Ahh, wooh, you're "that mean nurse that will give you a shot if you don't shape up!!", aren't you?

wooh, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2012

Yep. That's me!

mustlovepoodles, RN · Mar 18, 2012

I actually started off in Mother/Baby and I really thought that was going to be my calling. But after 2 years of working in Labor & Delivery I needed a change(this was back in the bad old days of "twilight sleep" and dad's relegated to the waiting room--ugh!) I switched over to post-partum and found that I really liked helping new moms learn about their babies. One thing led to another and before I knew it I was working in the NICU! I have done several different things--NICU, PICU, ER, telephone advice, and now school nursing.

When I was in nursing school, peds was my LEAST favorite area. And this year will mark 28 years in the field! :nurse:

AprilN, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2012

I LOVED my peds rotation in school. I applied for a PRN position while still in school, and started right after graduation. From there I was offered a FT position. I've only been out of school since July '10, but I've worked in Peds since! (Currently as a school nurse for a childcare center that focuses on children with physical and developmental delays.)