Switching practice areas

[Berzerkernuts]

I'm wondering if anyone out there has successfully transitioned from between practice settings (ex: outpatient to rehab, rehab to hospital, pediatric to adult settings, etc). I am presently applying/interviewing for my first job, and I think that I would like to work with children, however I don't want to pigeonhole myself as a strictly pediatric therapist. If I decide in a year or two that kids are not for me and I'd like to switch to, say, a hospital setting, will I be given the time of day?

 

[callmecrazy]

I know a number of therapists that keep their foot in the door of a different setting through casual/per diem work. A friend works full-time outpatient and one weekend a month inpatient. Another does pediatric outpatient during the week and the occasional Saturday AM at a SNF. It would help with the transition. That being said, if you transition to a setting with high demand, you're unlikely to have a problem. IMO, I think transitioning INTO peds from another setting seems to be more difficult than the reverse.

 

[Berzerkernuts]

Thanks for the input. I get the same feeling (although I have no real reason to) about switching into peds from an adult setting. I did an outpatient peds affiliation so I feel like I should ride that experience while I can.

 

[BlueBlue8]

What about going from ortho to neuro? I really liked my neuro internship but ended up taking an ortho outpatient/inpatient job. I occasionally get a neuro patient.
I'm not sure if I want to do outpatient ortho forever, but I worry that I may lack the skills to transition into neuro.