What Do Pediatric Nurses Do On A Daily Basis
Pediatric nurses must demonstrate the ability to set up the plan for the patients care, record the patients medical history, record observations, administer treatment, perform diagnostic tests, and help the pediatric patients and their families understand how to manage their illness. After gaining experience, pediatric nurses are able to become certified pediatric nurses by taking and passing a certification exam.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Education Requirements And Training
Those interested in the field of pediatrics should enjoy working with both children and families. Pediatrics focuses on family-centered care, which means involving parents, grandparents, and siblings when caring for a patient. PNPs should also be unbiased and accepting, as parenting styles and family values may differ from their own. Patience is also a key attribute of pediatric nurse practitioners, as children are often less than cooperative with various aspects of care.
Nurses who enjoy practicing independently and who wish to diagnose and prescribe while still utilizing nursing skills can progress to the field of advanced practice nursing. Nurses who seek to pursue their nurse practitioner license should value autonomy, integrity, and leadership. Pediatric nurse practitioners should enjoy tracking the growth and development of children and recognize the importance of family-centered care.
What Is Pediactric Nursing
Pediatric Nurses are specialized RNs that have additional education and training and care for children from birth to adolescence. With the ever-increasing growth of the youth population, there has been an increased need for Pediatric nurses. These nurses devote their time and skills to caring for infants, children, and adolescents through their late teen years.
This specialized nursing field requires the completion of advanced pediatrics training that allows these nurses to work closely with physicians in providing quality care for children. In addition, pediatric nurses must be compassionate and readily form a connection and rapport with their patients.
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Do You Have A Future In Pediatric Nursing
Theres a lot that goes into becoming and working as a pediatric nurse, but theres no denying that reaching that goal after years of hard work will be more than worth it. Your first step toward working in pediatrics is becoming a registered nurse. Learn more about the path ahead in our article How to Become a Registered Nurse: Your 4-Step Guide.
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, www.bls.gov/ooh/. Information represents national, averaged data for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. Employment conditions in your area may vary.2Pediatric Nursing Workforce Data, Institute of Pediatric Nursing EDITORS NOTE: This article was originally published in October 2017. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2021.
Begin Your Career As A Certified Pediatric Nurse
Making a difference in the life of a child isnt something just any nurse can do. Becoming a pediatric nurse takes compassion, empathy and a level head to handle emergency situations calmly and professionally.
If pediatric nursing is tugging at your heartstrings , the best place to start is with a world-class nursing education.
Herzing University is your lifelong learning partner and exists to help empower you to reach your career goals in nursing.
Consider our nurse practitioner programs for the future if youre thinking ahead to advancing your nursing career. Becoming a nurse practitioner can help you advance your career and select a position in pediatrics.
Explore our many nursing programs, take the leap and change your life for the better!
Learn more about our bachelor’s degree in nursing program
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What Is The Job Outlook For Pediatric Nurses
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing is a profession expected to grow 9% by 2030. With a master’s degree specialty, APRNs are even more marketable in several important areas of medicine. APRNs who have clinical hours in pediatrics may find work in the field without too many hurdles within the next decade.
Become A Registered Nurse
After passing the NCLEX-RN, you will need to meet the board of nursing requirements in your state to be able to practice as a registered nurse.
Then you will be able to search for your first job as an RN. If you have your sights set on a career as a pediatric nurse, seek a position in a healthcare clinic or hospital which cares for children and younger patients.
You may not find the perfect position starting out and thats okay just keep your eyes peeled for a great opportunity and be ready to jump on it!
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Becoming A Pediatric Nurse
Pediatric nurses may work in a variety of health care settings, such as hospitals, schools, and community clinics, treating children who are experiencing illnesses ranging from chronic heart conditions to the common cold. They work with pediatricians to develop care plans and monitor for any changes in patients conditions. Pediatric nurses may also administer medications or treatments that are prescribed by physicians.
To become a pediatric nurse requires completing a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination . After obtaining their license, graduates may begin working as registered nurses in the pediatric field. Because undergraduate nursing programs generally do not offer formal specializations in pediatrics, it is important according to the Society of Pediatric Nurses for aspiring pediatric nurses to gain hands-on clinical experience in facilities that provide care for children.
Directly working with children and their families allows pediatric-focused RNs to enhance their knowledge of child development and practice their communication skills. In the course of their work, pediatric nurses engage with children of all ages and developmental stages. This requires the use of a variety of communication styles to effectively evaluate how patients are responding to treatments. For example, nurses may use drawings or ask young patients to repeat treatment steps to make sure they understand what is happening.
How Does A Master’s Program In Pediatric Nursing Compare To An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Program
A nurse practitioner program prepares students to obtain APRN licensure. A master’s in pediatric nursing qualifies holders for administrative and managerial roles in the nursing field.
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Pediatric Nurse Job Description
A pediatric nurse provides acute, specialty, and primary care for individuals up to the age of 21 years. There is a misconception that a pediatric nurse only provides care for young children, but this information is inaccurate.
The work environment may include hospitals, doctors offices, critical care units, and other community based settings. Some specialize in such areas of oncology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and dermatology.
The acute, primary, and specialty services that a pediatric nurse provides may include:
- Caring for chronically, critically, or acutely ill children
- Providing well child examinations
- Interpreting diagnostic and laboratory results
- Administering therapeutic treatment and ordering medications
- Immunization delivery
- Diagnosing and treating childhood illnesses
- Providing guidance regarding common health concerns of children
A pediatric nurse also has the responsibility of explaining conditions to parents and providing support to both the children and parents. It is very important that a pediatric nurse keep detailed, accurate records of the progress of patients and notify doctors immediately when any changes occur with patients.
How Hard Is It To Become A Neonatal Nurse
Neonatal nursing requires extensive training, advanced skills, and the ability to work in stressful environments. While not as physically tasking as some nursing roles, these nurses must have the skills to work in high-pressure conditions with critically ill infants. They should also demonstrate the ability to help the care team make complicated ethical decisions about treatment.
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Labor And Delivery Nurse
A labor and delivery nurse works in a variety of settings, including obstetric units, emergency rooms, and medical centers. They are responsible for assisting physicians or midwives with the safe delivery of newborn children. They may also assist mothers with childbirth preparation exercises, providing education about the birthing process and answering any questions they may have.
S To Becoming A Pediatric Nurse
To become a pediatric nurse, a person must attend school and training specifically for nursing. These programs are generally either two-year or four-year programs. Two-year programs are offered by community colleges, while four-year programs are offered at colleges and universities. In most cases, a student is required to meet and maintain a certain GPA before they can apply to be admitted into a nursing program and then must maintain a minimum grade-point average throughout the program.
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Step 1: Go to Nursing School
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Step 2: Pass the NCLEX Exam
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Step 3: Become Certified as a Pediatric Nurse
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What Does A Pediatric Oncology Nurse Do
Pediatric oncology nurses are focused on treating young patients facing complications from tumors. Though nurses who work in adult oncology units have many comparable duties, its important to note that treating children with cancer is not the same as treating adults.
The same type of cancer may call for different treatment protocols in children than in adults, and even the side effects of treatment may take on more weight if theres a possibility it could stunt the childs expected growth and development. In addition, some cancers only exist in children and require additional knowledge and specialization from the medical staff.
Duties unique to pediatric oncology nurses may include:
- Complete assessments on children prior to having chemotherapy administered to make sure they are healthy enough to tolerate the treatment
- Administer chemotherapy as ordered by the doctor
- Monitor children being treated with chemotherapy for signs of any life-threatening side effects
- Educate families about their childs condition, treatments and how they can manage side effects at home
Where Do Pediactric Nurses Work
Places like a pediatricians office, emergency room, intensive care unit, hospital clinic, or even a school all provide opportunities to work with children. Oftentimes, these sites offer both clinical and classroom experience in helping to provide care for pediatric patients. This in service training allows you to gain insight into the growth and development of children, and help the candidate fine-tune their nursing skills and abilities to fit the unique needs of the patient.
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Become Certified As A Pediatric Nurse
To become a certified pediatric nurse, nurses must take and pass the Certified Pediatric Nursing Exam. The exam is offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
To be eligible for the exam the following requirements have to be met:
- Current, valid RN license
- 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical experience as an RN during the previous 24 months or a minimum of 5 years as an RN in pediatric nursing and 3,000 hours in pediatric nursing within the last 5 years with a minimum of 1000 hours within the past 24 months
- Clinical experience can be from employment in a variety and combination of positions, including hospitals, clinics, or teaching.
- Payment of the $295 exam fee that includes a $100 non-refundable registration fee
- Completed application. To complete the application, students have to sign up on the site and fill out the online application. Once the application and fees are submitted, the PNCB will review the application. If accepted, the board will send the student a 90-day timeline for review and to take the exam.
- Schedule and take the exam. Students will want to give themselves ample time to review for the exam before taking it. The exam is proctored and scheduled through a testing service called Prometric. Once your application is accepted, youll receive the information you need to schedule your exam. After you take the exam, youll receive the results in two to three weeks after the exam date.
What Will Your Workdays Be Like As A Pediatric Nurse
Your workday as a pediatric nurse will largely depend on the type of facility where you get hired. If youre employed at a doctors office, hospital or clinic, your duties and responsibilities may be similar to those of any registered nurse, except the care you provide will be administered to younger patients. The job description can include:
- Work with pediatricians, nurses and other healthcare professionals to develop care plans for babies, toddlers, kids and teens.
- Calm and reassure worried parents and teach them how to best care for their children.
- Connect and effectively communicate with your youthful patients to help take the fear factor off their illnesses, injuries and treatments.
You may also choose to take a job as a school nurse, in which case your day to day activities will likely include promoting preventive healthcare for students, faculty and members of the community.
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Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
You will only need to go on for a masters degree if you decide you want to further your career by becoming a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. A CPNP is an advanced practice nurse, which means a nurse who has had advanced, graduate level training in a given field. A CPNP has a wider range of practice than a CNP. For instance, they can diagnose illnesses and order lab tests. If you plan to stay in the field for a long time, it may be worth your while to invest in further education and pursue this sort of career path, though much depends on your own goals and aspirations.
The role of a pediatric nurse is one that requires not only education but patience and creativity. Working with young patients is rewarding and challenging. While you do not need a Masters in nursing to be a pediatric nurse, you may discover you want to pursue further education to advance your career.
Become A Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
After completing your MSN program in pediatric nursing, youll be eligible to take a certification exam from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. Once youve passed the exam, youll be able to start practicing as a certified pediatric nurse practitioner , with a specialization in either acute care or primary care, depending on the postgraduate nursing program youve chosen and completed.
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Neonatal Nurse Licensure And Certification
As one of the most specialized fields in nursing, neonatology requires nurses with advanced skill levels to assess and treat conditions specific to newborns, including infections, congenital disorders, and complications due to premature births or low birth weight.
All neonatal nurses must hold valid RN licenses to practice. They must also complete continuing education for nurses and practice hours to renew their licenses according to state nursing board requirements.
Many neonatal nurses choose to get certifications that help them advance in their careers, validate their specialized knowledge, and demonstrate a higher level of clinical competence. Employers may require neonatal nurses to hold certifications to work in NICUs, emergency rooms, and neonatal specialty units. Some states require neonatal NPs to hold certification to get licensure.
Several organizations administer neonatal certifications to become “registered nurse certified” . The RNC certification for neonatal intensive care nursing, administered by the National Certification Corporation, requires an active RN license, a minimum of 24 months of RN experience, and a passing score on the qualifying exam.
Courses In A Pediatric Nursing Program
Students in pediatric nursing programs hone skills in interpersonal communication, observation, and listening. Learners also develop field-specific skills, such as medicine administration and record-keeping.
Most master’s programs in the field require about 36 credits, or 12 courses. Most full-time students earn their master’s in pediatric nursing in about two years.
The courses below are common to many pediatrics nursing master’s programs. Exact curricula vary by program, so students should read course descriptions before enrolling. Learners with specific career goals should look for programs that offer relevant coursework.
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Education Requirements To Become A Pediatric Nurse
At a minimum, pediatric nurses have an associate degree in nursing however, most pursue the route of a bachelors in science in nursing . Pediatric nurses need to be licensed as registered nurses which requires completion and passing of the NCLEX-RN exam by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. We recommend checking your program is accredited before enrolling as this ensures the knowledge you gain meets the needs of the position. The cost of the following degrees reflects the variation in course options, attendance, program format, and type of college.
Associate degree in nursing
This degree is generally completed within 2 years of full-time study and is ideal for those with an interest in healthcare, yet unable to dedicate the time necessary for a BSN. Coursework includes liberal arts requirements as well as many entry-level nursing courses. Programs focus on teaching the skills and standards necessary for nursing including:
- terminology
- health assessments
- professional issues
This program generally costs students anywhere from $12,000 to $30,000 and is available on-campus or online at community colleges and some 4-year colleges. Note, online students are required to attend labs and clinical rotations in person because these course components incorporate work experience hours in a number of clinical settings or facilities.
When choosing a school to attend, be sure to look into program accreditation and the NCLEX pass rates.
Bachelors in science in nursing
Top 10 Pediatric Nurse Associations & Groups
Pediatric nursing associations provide a wealth of resources for nursing professionals, including networking opportunities, national conferences, continuing education, job search strategies, interviewing tips and many forms of personal development. Membership in these organizations promotes opportunities to develop key industry relationships, as well as build and refine nursing skills and care practices.
These are 10 of the top industry organizations for pediatric nurses and pediatric nurse practitioners:
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