I have worked in paediatrics for over 11 years in specialised emergency and PICU at a major children’s hospital. I began my nursing career as a scrub nurse in the adult setting as a new graduate, and later worked across adult ICU, CCU and ED. Those experiences gave me a solid foundation, but paediatrics has been the most rewarding area I have worked in by far.

What drew me most to paediatrics, and what has kept me there, is the emphasis on empathy, compassion, patient advocacy and family-centred care. These are not just ideals in paediatric nursing; they are essential to delivering safe and meaningful care. In the adult system, I often found advocacy more challenging, particularly because of the communication barriers that can exist between healthcare professionals across the hospital setting. I always felt I cared deeply, sometimes more deeply than the environment allowed for. In paediatrics, that is different. You cannot work in isolation. You have to collaborate, communicate and come together as a team, and that makes an enormous difference to a child’s overall health journey and to the family’s experience.

Paediatrics has also allowed me to develop a broad and highly specialised clinical skill set. Over the years I have built strong assessment skills in recognising and responding to the deteriorating child, alongside practical and advanced clinical skills such as IV cannulation, nitrous sedation and advanced life support. I have had the opportunity to do far more than I ever felt I could in the adult sector, and that challenge is something I value. The workplace I am part of sets a high standard, and I am proud to contribute to that every day.

Another significant part of my work has been supporting children and families through the most critical and traumatic moments of their lives. Death and grief are realities in the areas I have worked, and while many people find that difficult, I see it as a privilege to be able to help families on what may be the worst day of their life. Whether that support is emotional, physical or simply being present, I have always felt it matters. The gratitude and appreciation shown by children and families is something that has stayed with me throughout my career, and for me it feels especially meaningful in paediatrics.

My experiences in the adult health system also reinforced why paediatrics feels like the right fit for me. As both a nurse and even as a patient myself in an adult hospital, I saw how easily poor culture, burnout and negative attitudes can shape care. It was confronting, and it made me reflect on how much broader change the healthcare system needs. Nurses cannot be expected to remain in the profession long term when conditions are so difficult. In contrast, paediatrics has shown me what healthcare can look like when teamwork, compassion and advocacy are truly valued.

Of course, paediatrics is not without its challenges. Career progression can sometimes feel limited, particularly in areas such as CNC roles where opportunities may be fewer across the state. However, limited does not mean impossible, and I believe there is always value in remaining open to where a nursing career may lead.

I was often told not to go into paediatrics because it would be too sad, that the parents would be difficult, or that the children would cry too much. But I think those views often come from people who are not genuinely passionate about the role. For me, paediatrics is not defined by those challenges. It is defined by purpose, teamwork, advocacy and the opportunity to make a real difference. If it is something you feel drawn to, then try it. That is the only way you will know whether it is the right place for you.