I was a pediatric nurse for 42 of my 44 years. After graduating as a Diploma nurse, I went back to school and got a non nursing BS degree, and then an MA in Community Health Education. I worked in a Pediatric ER, for a couple years but then accepted a new, novel job in the mid 70's with our Children's Hospital Pediatric Heme/Onc Department to develop and establish a new role funded by the National Cancer Institute Grant with the doctors I worked for. I established a pilot program for an advanced practice nurse in Hematology/Oncology. I'm not sure why I got the job, but I loved developing it!! I rounded with the docs every day, provided almost ALL of the patient and parents' education about their child's disease, taught them about the proposed research protocols, the side effects of Chemo and radiation, and worked with the families whose children didn't respond favorably to the cancer treatments and were ultimately going to die. Working with dying children,I was often requested by church groups and schools to speak about my experiences in the field. I often guest lectured at Ohio State, and for five years had a part time evening teaching job at Ohio State is where I had been asked to develop a course to teach med students, student social workers and student nurses about death and dying in Children. I truly loved every day of my 14 years in my oncology job and five years teaching at Ohio State, but, after having 4 kids of my own and becoming an unexpected single parent , I chose to leave hospital nursing to accept a job in the school district where I lived. The administration said they wanted "Real" pediatric nurses in their school clinics.I LOVED the change of pace in that job. The staff and kids were GREAT and the bonus was I was now on the same time work schedule as my kids!.I never minded the responsibilities for managing multiple schools with a total of thousands of students. It was never dull, and the hours were terrific.
After 26 years in school nursing, I retired from that job to take care of my aging dad for five years until he passed away.I haven't worked since. Follow your heart in Peds and listen to your patients and their parents....KIDS ARE SO HONEST and they WILL help teach "you" to become a terrific pediatric nurse!! Best of luck to you....Wish I could walk in your shoes again!!
School nursing!
You should have opportunity as a educator to the public at large. You might want to look at consulting with companies that provide babies, children and infants products. Just a thought
Legal Nurse Consulting! If you can summarize medical records and communicate with people w/ different education and cognitive at the same time, you would do well in this arena. Pediatric nurses have developed that skill which transitions to the legal arena as consulting and testifying experts. Plus - It's fun!
Pediatric Primary Care! You could be a nurse for a pediatrician, working with children and families through the changes that come as kids grow. It is a great way to change the way kids view going to their doctor, helping them to be less fearful of immunizations, blood draws, etc. This gives you an opportunity to be silly and have fun with the kids and they remember you when they come back. It is awesome to watch them reach new developmental milestones.
There are opportunities in pediatric Home Health
Pediatric Dr's offices and specialty clinics and telephone triage opportunities
Maxim Staffing Solutions sends nurses to schools as 1:1 nurses for those who require it for they're medical needs. I have worked in this role since 2011.
I worked 22 years doing foster care case management and occasionally assisting child protective services investigating medical neglect cases. Not all States hire nurses for these roles but that's slowly changing. I was employed by the Department of Health and contracted by the Division of Child and Family Services.
Case Management (Care Coordination / Discharge Planning), Community Health Programs, Foster Care Programs,
Clinic nursing
There are many non-bedside opportunities for nurses, including Pediatric nurses. Past experience and specific interests/talents will guide you in your journey. If you are interested in continuing in the clinical setting, supervisory positions may be of interest. There is always a need for nurse writers, researchers, informatics specialists, educators and trainers for medical equipment/medications. Insurance company Case Management is field that is currently seeking nurses with experience and is generally a remote position, working from home. Networking with peers and vendors is one way to start. Talk to people who are currently doing the job that interests you and build those relationships. It is amazing how opportunities can drop into your lap because somebody remembers you voicing an interest.
Like most other types of nursing you can do pretty much anything in pediatrics: work in a doctor’s office, work as a elementary school nurse, home health. I work pediatric home health with trach and vent kids.
I'm not a peds nurse but CHOP(children's hospital of Pennsylvania) is the best in the world, along with St. Judes
I wish I knew the answer as well, I'm curious too! Following :)
Should add: *that still pay well!! ?
I am an Advice Nurse in a Pediatric office, part of Stanford . I handle all the MYChart messages, rx refills, parent questions, and speak directly with teens/young adults that are still with our practice. This office has MA's doing all the hands on patient care, ie rooming duties, vaccines. I do some RN only Strep testing/Pertussis testing and some vaccines. also. I was also a private school nurse for 10 years
Please consider being an educator for future nurses. I'm sure those future nurses will greatly benefit from your experiences and dedication in the nursing field. future nurses need somebody like you in the field. I'm really scared of the direction of nursing without real nurses to guide the young ones... Please, please, please
Pediatric home hospice
Pediatric nurse practitioner in a clinic, office or hospital. Pediatric nurse in a variety of clinics or doctor offices.
Pediatric outpatient centers! There are places that provide continuing therapy for a variety of health needs as well as a sort of “transitional” path for babies who were in NICU and are catching up on development. I have always wanted to work at one of these facilities as the hours are great and I imagine it would be so much fun celebrating milestones and educating parents!
