Nursing has many specialties. If you enjoy nursing and you would like to provide care for children, the job of a pediatric nurse may suit you very well.
Overview
A pediatric nurse is a nurse who specializes in the treatment of children from their time of birth to their late teen years. Pediatric nurses generally have advanced training in pediatrics and they work closely with doctors and other health care providers who are also interested in treating children. A pediatric nurse is able to examine children, measure vital statistics, draw blood, take urine samples, and order tests. Some nurses may even be able to interpret the results from lab tests and help doctors develop a treatment plan for illness or injury.
A pediatric nurse has a true understanding of the special needs of children. Their bodies are growing and they often have particular needs in relation to injuries, illness, and medications. Pediatric nurses have to be able to communicate well with both children and adults to determine the best course of action in many situations.
Working Conditions
Pediatric nurses can be found in many settings. If you decide to take up this nursing profession you might work in offices, clinics, hospitals, surgical centers, and other health care settings. Pediatric nurses are often found to bring great support to a healthcare team in a neonatal department, pediatric critical care unit, and the pediatric oncology units. Pediatric nurses usually make anywhere from $48,000 to $68,000 per year, although an actual salary will depend upon location, experience, and the type of facility one is working in. Some pediatric nurses make more than $100,000 per year.
Academic Requirements
To be a pediatric nurse you must become a registered nurse where you will receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing. In some situations you might also take classes in early childhood development and you’ll also need to pass a national licensing exam known as the NCLEX-RN to work as a registered nurse. Once you’re certified, you can begin to work in the office of a pediatrician to get some experience or even in the pediatric department of a hospital. This will give you on the job training that you’ll need to enjoy a career as a pediatric nurse.
If you would like to be certified as a pediatric nurse practitioner you can do this by earning a master’s degree in nursing. This would further your career and open more options to you. You would even be able to write prescriptions and make diagnosis for your patients. You would need to take an exam after earning your degree to receive your pediatric nurse practitioner certificate.