Alfred Said:

What should I be: An OB nurse or a Pediatric ICU nurse?

We Answered:

As the first responder has indicated, you really don't need this type of decision at this point.

Most students in a nursing program change their minds 2 or 3 times about what area they want to work as they experience different clinical rotations. You are currently a sophomore in hs, and it is good to be developing a goal, but don't be afraid to make adjustments as life leads you along new paths.

When I was in HS I was a musician. I knew that I wanted to be a musician when I got older, it was all I was interested in. When I started college, I was on a music scholarship. I spent most of my time practicing, writing and playing music. I was located in a city where there were major recording studios, so I was able to play back up on some records, and friends of mine were getting to make demo records. Of the people I knew struggling to make music at that time, one had a one-hit career, one became a major recording star, and the rest just fell by the wayside. When I saw this happening, I started rethinking what I should do. I started taking more science and psychology courses, and by chance, as I dropped my music major (thus losing the scholarship) I got an athletic scholarship. One of the people on the team introduced me to the idea of nurse anesthesia. So I went to nursing school.

That was 30 years ago, I have worked in several areas of nursing, advanced my education and career, but never have I worked as an anesthetist.

There are many opportunities in life, and you just have to go where it leads at the time. A basic goal is great, but keep some flexibility.

Danny Said:

the profession of pediatric NICU nurse?

We Answered:

First of all you've got to get through nursing school and graduate and take the RN exam to be certified to work. Then you get a job at a hospital that has a pediatric ward with a pediatric intensive care unit and a NICU. Pediatric means your patients are babies through teenagers. NICU is neonatal intensive care unit which are newborn babies who need extra medical attention. As a new graduate you won't get to work in the NICU you have to get experience either on the pediatric floor or sometimes maternity will take new grads. It usually takes at least a year of floor care to get your skills up to where they feel comfortable to train you to work in NICU. I don't know any websites but check your local community college and see if they offer a degree in nursing. Their website may have info about the profession and any other medical profession they offer a degree in. Look up info about respiratory therapy, x-ray technologist, ultra sound tech, radiation therapist, or dental hygienist. Those should all be 2 year associate degree programs. RN usually takes 3 years at a community college or 4 years at a 4 year school to get a bachelor of nursing.

Cynthia Said:

I'm looking into going into pediatric oncology and i'm looking for some info...?

We Answered:

Either one you chose your gonna have to center around the kids and either way your gonna have to work hard.... the difference is that being a doctor you will go to school way long (3 years recidency after medical school and 3 years fellowship), but you will get to work with the kids alot.... nursing had a shorter time in school, but you do the dirty work as in needles, etc. Both careers are great it and either way you get to communicate with the children it just depends on what you want to have in a job.....

Frederick Said:

Nursing Career?

We Answered:

You can go to both a vocational nursing school, college/university. University is two to four years. I strongly suggest if you can afford is to get a four year degree

Clayton Said:

Need help deciding what to do?

We Answered:

How about you go to college for pre-med and then go to medical school to be an ob/gyn and deliver babies!

Nancy Said:

Can someone give me information about pediatric nurse practitioners?

We Answered:

PNP is a masters level nursing (2 years) after a bachelors in nursing and job experience in peds. So that is about 8 years (say 2 working as an RN). Pediatrician (MD) is more like 4 undergrad, 4 med school and 3 residency (=11 years).
You could be a pediatric nurse, a play therapist, pediatric hospitals employ teachers, therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists etc. I would go nose around the job boards & web sites of pediatric hospitals to see all the fields. However, working with very sick kids is something that not everyone realizes how it can be.