Pediatric Nurse

What a Pediatric Nurse Does

Pediatric nurses specialize in the care of infants and young children, from the first few months of life until late adolescence. Pediatric nurses will perform a wide variety of tasks throughout the day, including things like immunization, physical exams, and the treatment of common childhood illnesses. Because most of their patients aren't old enough to be responsible for their own treatment, legally or otherwise, pediatric nurses must also work closely with their parents to ensure that medications are given on time and that their medical conditions are fully understood. They will also advise parents on preventative care, helping them provide adequate nutrition, keep children healthy and ensure they grow and develop at a normal rate. Pediatric nurses must not only know their stuff when it comes to health care but also must be able to have the patience and kindness to work with patients who are young and often frightened with medical procedures, calming them and their parents.

How to Become a Pediatric Nurse

The first step to becoming a pediatric nurse is to enroll in a nursing degree program with the goal of becoming a registered nurse. These programs will not only provide graduates with a BSN or ASN in nursing, but will give them the skills and knowledge needed to pass the state licensing exam-- the NCLEX-RN. This exam is required for all individuals who want to legally practice in the United States. Once an RN licenses is earned, the nurse may seek employment in a specialty such as Pediatrics and obtain on-the-job training for that specialty. To obtain the certification offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, the nurse needs to pass a certification exam and also meet the experience requirements of the PNCB.

Career Outlook for Pediatric Nurses

Nurses will enjoy some of the best job prospects of any field when it comes to looking for a job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects excellent job growth through the year 2018 for all nursing professions and specializations. Pediatric nurses are no exception. They will be able to find ample job opportunities in places like hospitals, private practices, children's health care facilities, summer camps, elementary schools and even in home health care. There are many opportunities for advancement in this field for those who are willing to complete additional training. Certification in things like emergency care, mental health and primary care can be a big help and those who go on to become nurse practitioners will see exceptional job growth and availability. Of course, factors like experience and geographic location will also play a role.