Is Pediatric Nursing Right For Me
You have the knowledge in your hands now to better decide if you want to put in your time and energy to become a pediatric nurse. While pursuinga pediatric nursing career takes time, the joy of helping children and families is a great reward.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences offers a Master of Science in Nursing program, a Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates designed for working nurses. Our degrees are offered online, with optional on-campus immersions.* Role specialties include Family Nurse Practitioner , Nurse Educator,** and Nurse Executive. The MSN has several options to accelerate your time to degree completion. Earn your advanced nursing degree while keeping your work and life in balance.
*The FNP role specialtyincludes two required hands-on clinical intensives as part of the curriculum.**The Nurse Educator role specialty is not available for the DNP program.
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Are You Ready To Start Your Career As A Pediatric Nurse
There are many rewarding careers in nursing. If you love caring for children and improving their quality of life, then becoming a Pediatric Nurse could be a fantastic career choice for you!
If youre prepared to begin your journey of becoming a Pediatric Nurse, you can start by earning your BSN degree at Provo College.
Click here to learn more about our BSN program.
S To Becoming A Pediatric Nurse
To become a pediatric nurse, you need to earn an associate degree in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing degree and pass the National Council Licensure Examination to receive RN licensure.
Then, you must gain experience in pediatric nursing. You can also consider becoming a certified pediatric nurse.
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What Advanced Degrees Do Nurses Earn For Pedicatrics
Some pediatric nurses choose to seek higher education that gives them a bigger role in delivering health care and working with pediatric patients. After obtaining the bachelors of science in nursing, the candidate can enroll in a two years masters program that will allow them to become a pediatric nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist specializing in pediatrics. After completing the masters programs, a PNP or CNS must take a licensing exam and meet state certification requirements.
Transitioning From A Cna To A Pediatric Licensed Nurse
Are you already working as a certified nursing assistant and want to take the next step to become a pediatric nurse?
You may have a more accelerated path to becoming either a pediatric LPN or RN, thanks to the time youve put into your career.
There are both CNA to LPN and CNA to RN programs available. These programs have abbreviated completion times because theyre leveraging the licensure youve already obtained, so youre only learning the new skills you need instead of starting from scratch.
CNA to LPN programs can take anywhere from six months to a year and a half. CNA to RN bridge programs take a year and a half to two years to complete. Some may include a BSN degree in their program.
As with other paths to becoming a pediatric nurse, you can study in general nursing programs, obtain a general LPN or RN licensure, and then pursue pediatric positions.
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Duties Responsibilities Requirements Certifications Job Outlook And Salary
One of the many perks of nursing is you can specialize in the area of healthcare where you feel most passionate. All nursing specialties have a distinct set of job responsibilities, patient groups, and work environments. Most specializations also require unique academic qualifications and certifications.
Nurses are highly regarded for belonging to one of the most compassionate occupations within our healthcare system. This is especially true of nurses who opt to work directly with children.
This career guide will focus on the nurses who specialize in the healthcare of children, Pediatric Nurses. If childrens healthcare piques your interest, this guide will help you understand the role of a Pediatric Nurse, their job responsibilities, salary*, and educational requirements.
Earn Your Pediatric Nursing Certification
The CPN certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board is the most widely recognized qualification in this specialty.
Before applying, you must have at least 1800 hours of work in a pediatric setting within the last two years. At least 1000 of these hours must have occurred in the previous year.
There is an alternate CPN pathway for nurses who canât demonstrate 1800 hours in the previous 24 months. For example, if you experienced a life event or were unemployed, the alternate pathway allows you to use pediatric experience over five non-consecutive years of nursing.
The CPN exam contains 175 multiple-choice questions and lasts 3 hours. In addition, you can take a self-paced, online CPN prep course to prepare for everything youâll encounter on the exam fully.
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How To Become A Pediatric Nurse
To become a pediatric nurse, you must first become a registered nurse . To be an RN, you need to earn a degree, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for a license.
You need at least a two-year associate degree in nursing to take the NCLEX-RN and earn your license. You may find more job openings if you earn your bachelor of science in nursing instead, which takes four years to complete.
After graduation, pass the NCLEX-RN and apply for your RN license in your state. Once you have your license, you can consider getting additional certifications. Nurse managers prefer certified pediatric nurses 90% of the time, according to the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board .
Pediatric nurses should consider applying for the Pediatric Nursing Board Certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, or the Certified Pediatric Nurse certification from the PNCB.
Both certifications require nurses to hold a current unrestricted license and at least two years of full-time pediatric nursing experience.
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board requires 1800 hours of pediatric nursing experience within the last two years. The American Nurses Credentialing Center requires 2000 hours of pediatric nursing experience within the last three years and 30 hours of continuing education.
One What Is A Pediatric Nurse
Pediatric nurses are Registered Nurses or Advanced Practice Registered Nurses , who decide to pursue specialty training in pediatrics. Doing so allows them to take on roles in which they can work specifically with babies, toddlers, tweens, and teens. Because there are so many conditions and issues that are specific to growing and developing bodies, pediatric nursing requires specialized knowledge to provide the best patient care. This article will explain how to become a pediatric nurse.
Pediatric RNs may work in a hospitals pediatric department, for example. They need to have at the minimum an Associate’s Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and be certified as Registered Nurses in order to practice in this role.
There are also Pediatric Nurse Practitioners who take on additional responsibilities such as prescribing medications, performing developmental screenings, and administering immunizations. They hold advanced degrees in nursing and pass additional exams in order to practice.
Being a pediatric nurse means that youll have to know how to handle the sensitivities and limitations of the age of the patient youre caring for. Youll have to be a great communicator with a comforting bedside manner who can inform and educate worried parents. Helping children to grow up big and strong is really at the heart of what pediatric nurses do every day, making it an important career for a healthy population.
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How Do I Become A Pediatric Registered Nurse
Typical minimum job requirements for employment as a pediatrics RN is an ADN degree, however, a Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree will allow you more employment options and is considered the preferable degree. Employment requirements may vary from institution to institution as the nurses are working with a younger population, some facilities may require a BSN.
While some hospitals prefer candidates who have completed their nursing degrees at schools with designated pediatric programs, others will not discriminate against applicants if they lack formal training but are otherwise qualified. After completion of schooling and obtaining licensures, candidates must complete a Nursing Pediatric Board Examination.
Where Do Pediatric Nurses Work
Pediatric nurses work across a breadth of locations. According to the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, almost 60% of certified pediatric nurses work in childrens hospitals. ) Because the young patients at those hospitals need pediatric nurses, the numbers make sense. Most of the remainder of the pediatric nursing workforce is spread over outpatient care in doctors offices, community hospitals, major medical centers, schools, and home healthcare settings.
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Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Faqs
What Does a Pediatric Oncology Nurse Practitioner Do?
Caring for children with cancer is extremely delicate. Parents and families are usually understandably in shock after a diagnosis is made. Pediatric oncology NPs can assist families in managing the diagnosis by offering resources such as support groups, social work referrals, financial planning, and even arrange care with a psychiatrist as needed. Stress, anxiety, and grief are common in families of children with cancer, so a pediatric oncology NP needs to be able to utilize the available resources to support a patientâs medical as well as psychosocial needs.
While pediatric oncology can be an emotional challenge for NPs, it is also extremely rewarding. The NP can help support families on their journey by acting as a lifeline. Having a âconstantâ in the chaos of cancer treatment is extremely necessary for parents. Moreover, assisting patients and families during the grief of a terminal diagnosis as well as during the joy of remission is invaluable.
Can I Become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Without Prior Pediatrics Experience?
Pediatrics is a specialized population. There are differences in anatomy, disease processes, and treatments that are not the same as in the care of adults. Therefore, prior experience is critical to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Pediatric Nurse vs Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
What Education Do You Need To Be A Pediactric Nurse
In order to become a Pediatric nurse, the first step is to get a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma . Having a strong science background will give you a leg up on your future schooling, so taking 3-4 years of science in high school is recommended. So, how long does it take to become a pediatric nurse after high school? It takes two to six years depending on the route you choose.
After completion of the first step, the candidate must enroll in a nursing education program to earn a Registered Nurse license. There are two possible routes that will allow you to accomplish this: a bachelors of science in nursing from a four-year, accredited university or a two-year associate degree in nursing . Both the associate degree in nursing and the bachelors degree in nursing include supervised clinical education courses in various fields of nursing, including maternity, pediatrics, clinics, long-term care facilities, and surgery.
Both programs also require classes in nursing, anatomy, microbiology, physiology, chemistry, and other behavioral sciences. The bachelors of science in nursing usually takes four years to complete and prepares the candidate for bedside and leadership roles, including communication and critical thinking. In addition, the BSN requires more in-depth coursework in the physical and social sciences.
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How To Become A Pediatric Nurse In The Usa
ShiftMed TeamNursing
Working with children takes a unique personality and skill set â life as a pediatric nurse is filled with lots of emotional highs, lows, and laughs as you do everything to keep your littlest patients smiling during tough times.
Some pediatric nurses work exclusively with children with cancer or terminal illnesses others work with children with rare disorders or congenital disabilities. Others work in hospitals, treating children from infancy through high school with different diseases and injuries.
Pediatric nurses are a beacon of light, hope, and confidence for patients and parents. They do so much more than provide healthcare theyâre educators, guiding parents on the following steps to ensure their children are as healthy as possible.
If you want to become a pediatric nurse, this guide will cover everything you need to know. This career path is an exciting, heartwarming field perfect for aspiring nurses who love kids.
What Is A Pediatric Nurse
Pediatric nurses provide comprehensive healthcare to children, monitoring their rate of development.
Pediatric nurses are professionals who are skilled at addressing the medical needs of children in an empathetic way. They communicate with the child and family as they oversee their healthcare over time. Through advanced specialized training from a graduate nursing program, registered nurses can tailor their nursing skill set to focus on the unique needs of children.
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Graduate With A Degree In Nursing
To become a pediatric nurse, you are first required to be a registered nurse . The first step to becoming an RN is to enroll in and graduate from an accredited nursing program to obtain a diploma or bachelor’s degree in nursing. Some provinces and territories require RNs to have a bachelor’s degree, so it’s essential to research the regulations in the location you plan to practise in before deciding which type of nursing certification to pursue.
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You Can Further Specialize With Pediatrics
Just as nurses can specialize when working in adult care, pediatric nurses can too. Whether youre interested in intensive care, emergency care, orthopedics, oncology, trauma, gastroenterology, home healthcare, the NICU or case management, its likely youll be able to find a pediatric department that aligns with your interests.
The duties are typically similar to the adult-equivalent specialty you may be more familiar with, though the ways you communicate and interact with the patient will be different. Youll look for different developmental markers and rely on information communicated by the patients family. You may also need to be more observant of visual and behavioral clues since younger patients may have trouble articulating exactly how they feel or what they need.
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S To Become A Pediatric Nurse
Qualifying to work as a pediatric nurse requires education, training, and licensure. These steps can guide you on your journey.
Determine what education youll need.
You can be a pediatric nurse with an associate or bachelors degree. While its quicker to get an associate degree, you may find more job opportunities with a bachelors degree.
Graduate from an accredited program.
A high-quality program will be accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education .
Become licensed as a registered nurse .
As you near graduation, youll want to register for the NCLEX-RN exam, a national exam that you must pass to qualify for an RN license. These licenses are issued by individual states.
Gain experience in pediatric nursing.
There are many ways to get experience in pediatric nursing, including doing clinical hours in pediatrics as part of your degree or volunteering in the community.
Earn certification as a pediatric nurse.
Take your education further by getting a certification like the Certified Pediatric Nurse credential. Certification demonstrates knowledge and expertise and shows your commitment to a field or specialty.
What Are The Benefits Of Being A Pediatric Nurse
Pediatric nurses get to work with children, spend a lot of time interacting with others, and work with many different kinds of health conditions and developmental stages. The opportunity to care for children can be a rewarding experience. Children may write thank-you notes or draw pictures as appreciation for nurses.
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What Is The Career Outlook For A Pediatric Registered Nurse
As with health care in general, pediatric registered nurses have a strong career outlook. Due to low enrollment in nursing programs, there is generally a shortage of nursing professionals in general. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an estimated 15 percent increase in the registered nursing field from 2016 to 2026. This is significantly higher than average job growth. Additionally, the median annual salary for a registered nurse is approximately $70,000. Beyond this positive growth potential, pediatric registered nurses can also advance their education and standing by taking additional courses and becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. Doing so would provide a significant boost in the nurses authority, and the average wage for a nurse practitioner is approximately $30,000 more per year.
Job Market For Pediatric Nurses
With all of the necessary education, schooling, experience, licensing and testing completed, CPNs can apply for employment in childrens hospitals, community hospitals, schools, home health care, military facilities, specialty clinics, special needs day cares, public health agencies and primary care practices. Applying for positions in primary and secondary schools, as well as in private practices or children-centered community groups that offer preventative care for youths may also be an option.6
In 2014, the number of registered nurse jobs in the U.S. was reported around 2.75 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . Additionally, the BLS projects that nursing careers is expected to grow, with a projected growth of 16% through 2024 a much faster than average rate compared to other occupations.7
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Earn Clinical Experience Working In A Pediatric Facility
To become certified as a pediatric nurse, youll need to work in a facility where you can practice your specialty and gain experience caring for kids. The primary pediatric clinical hours requirement is 1800 hours before you can become certifiedview full certification eligibility requirements from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board .
Various roles and responsibilities qualify for pediatric nursing experience, including direct patient care and indirect patient care such as teaching, administration, clinical research or consultation in pediatric nursing.