Will I ever be able to work in Pediatrics?

[nursejanXoXo]

Hi everyone!

I am new to this so I am not sure if I am posting in the right area, but I really needed some advice so helllllooo here I am.

As you can see by the title I really want to work in pediatrics but I am kind of in a dilemma

so first here is some background about me

I just graduated from an Associate degree program this past December. I also passed my boards and am now a licensed registered nurse!! Yay!

Now I am currently in the process of looking for a job. I really wanted to work in pediatrics & I have been looking since the beginning of February. I am not having too much luck. I live in FL and it seems that most of the hospitals in the area are magnet status and wont hire me because I do not yet posses a bachelors degree (although I begin the bachelor program in the summer). Children hospital's in the area also tend to be magnet status. This is all great, but it means they won't hire me.

I was able to land an interview for a position in the cardiac PCU I have done some research and I think that this is a great job and will give me good experience. The problem is that my heart really isn't in adult care. I did my practicum in pediatrics and I really think it is something I could be good at and will love.

I recently had an interview where I was asked about my practicum and if my passion was in peds. I had to lie and say it wasn't my passion. I really didn't like doing that, but no one will hire me into pediatrics!! and I desperately need a job.

My question is if I do end up getting a job in the PCU is it possible to transition into pediatrics once I have my bachelors degree? Will the transition from adults to pediatrics be difficult? Will it be like starting at the bottom again?

[Crystal-Wings, LVN]

If you want to get experience in pediatrics, try private duty nursing. 99% of the cases are pediatric patients. I do this and I enjoy it.

[Buckeye.nurse]

I worked on an adult post-op, general surgery floor for my first year out of nursing school, and then transitioned to pediatrics. It was a learning experience to transition (as a change to any new field is), but was definitely doable. You will learn *a lot* in the cardiac PCU. I'm not sure what area of pediatrics you are interested in eventually, but a portion of any pediatric stepdown unit in a big hospital is cardiac patients (often with congenital defects). At any rate, congrats on passing your boards, and welcome to the world of nursing!!!!

[AceOfHearts<3]

You should be fine. I know someone who started in LTC because that's what was available (crappy economy) and successfully broke into peds after getting some experience.

[studentnursetobe0203]

Take whatever job you can land, since it sounds like jobs are tough to come by without a BSN in your area. Nothing is impossible if you are determined and motivated to make it happen, and it certainly seems like you have the passion and drive to make it happen!