For many children and their families, most interactions with healthcare professionals will be with pediatric nurses. These nurses are responsible for looking after children and coordinating with medical staff and their patient’s family. It is considered a highly rewarding profession.
Many nursing students look up to this nursing field and want to learn more about it. Here is a guide for them. Learn about the education required to enroll in the pediatric nursing program, the fee structure, and specific requirements.
What Is Pediatric Nursing?
A pediatric nurse provides continuous care to children of all ages, from newborn babies to high schoolers. There is no difference between the knowledge and skills of a child nurse and an adult nurse. The only thing pediatric nurses have to learn is how to handle infants and relate to teenagers while giving them essential medical treatments.
Pediatric nurses cooperate with doctors and physicians to provide the best possible care to young children. They also ensure that the patient’s families cooperate and understand the whole treatment plan.
Steps to Become a Pediatric Nurse
When a student decides to specialize in child care and wants to enroll in the program, it involves several steps. While everyone’s path is unique, there are several common steps. Becoming a pediatric nurse is undoubtedly a challenging, lengthy, and demanding process.
Nursing students spend sleepless nights and often skip meals to reach their goals. If you are also one of those hardworking students, then here’s a breakdown of the essential steps to become a pediatric nurse
- Earn an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree
After completing an associate (ADN) or bachelor’s degree (BSN) nursing students can apply for pediatric nursing. These programs provide basic nursing and healthcare knowledge at a broader level. Healthcare topics include child nutrition, physical and cognitive development, and factors that affect emotional growth.
- Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
After completing the pediatric nursing program, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam. This test judges the knowledge level of nurses in some core nursing areas.
- Obtain a Registered Nurse (RN) License
With your nursing license, you can only start working at any clinic or hospital. You must obtain your RN license to work as a pediatric nurse officially. Apply for it through your state’s nursing board.
- Gain Clinical Experience
You must start working professionally with clinical experience. It is essential to showcase the clinical practice. According to the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), the clinical experience requirement for pediatric nurses is as follows:
- They should have a 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical practice from the last 24 months,
Or else
- They should have spent five years as an RN, and 3,000 hours in pediatric nursing and 1,000 hours of clinical practice for previous 24 months.
- Pass the Pediatric Nurse Certification Board (PNCB) Exam
After getting this certificate, you can officially start working as a nurse in your desired healthcare institute. The exam is administered by PNCB and covers essential pediatric topics such as health promotion, illness management, and childcare strategies.
How Can I Become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner?
The pediatric nurse practitioner is a specialized role as compared to a pediatric nurse. The process of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner involves further education and training. A PNP nurse can generally observe and medicate any illness in the child ward without the consent of duty doctors.
You simply have to enroll for a certification exam, either from PNCB or ANCC to become a pediatric nurse. You must pass the exam to get your pediatric nurse practitioner license.
Certifications for Pediatric Nurses
To officially start working as nurses in healthcare settings, nursing students have to pass some governmental-level exams. These certified exams ensure that a nursing student is now qualified to become a professional nurse and can start working.
- Pediatric Nursing Certification (PED-BC)
PED-BC certificates confirm that a nurse is qualified to take care of children. Nurses who earn this certification have passed an exam. The passed exam proves they have the skills and knowledge to care for kids.
- Pediatric Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
The CCRN certificate is for nurses who work with very sick children, especially those in intensive care. These children need extra and cautious care, and this certificate shows that the nurse knows how to handle emergency and critical situations with young patients.
- Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
A CPN certificate proves that a nurse has specialized training in pediatric nursing and has passed an exam. It is the same as PED-BC and shows that a nurse can handle children and their families in different situations.
What Are the Skills Required for Pediatric Nursing?
Thousands of students enroll in pediatric nursing programs yearly to become component nurses and serve young patients. The students need to develop some skills while pursuing their education. Here are some skills a pediatric nurse must learn during their academic era.
- Patient care skill
- Communication skill
- Emotional resilience
- Attention to detail
- Physical and psychological assessments
- Medication administration
- Diagnostic testing
- Family dynamics
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a pediatric nurse?
A nursing degree typically takes 2-4 years to complete, followed by passing the NCLEX-RN exam and gaining clinical experience in pediatric nursing.
What is the difference between a pediatric nurse and a pediatric nurse practitioner?
A pediatric nurse provides primary care to children. In contrast, a pediatric nurse practitioner has advanced training, allowing them to diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and manage patient care.
How can I gain experience in pediatric nursing?
Many nursing programs offer clinical rotations in pediatric healthcare, allowing you to gain hands-on experience working with children.
What are the career advancement opportunities in pediatric nursing?
You can advance your career by becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner, pursuing further certifications, or specializing in pediatric oncology or neonatology.
Where do pediatric nurses work?
Pediatric nurses mostly work in hospitals, departments, outpatient clinics, or specialized pediatric care centers. However, their duties vary on the setting of the healthcare institute they work in.
What is the difference between a pediatric nurse and a pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a licensed medical doctor who has completed medical school. At the same time, a pediatric nurse is a registered nurse with specialized training in pediatric care. Both work together to provide comprehensive care to children.
Is pediatric nursing a good career choice?
Pediatric nursing is fulfilling for those who love working with children and offers a stable job outlook with various advancement opportunities.
What are the typical working hours for a pediatric nurse?
Pediatric nurses may work in shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, especially in hospital settings. Clinic positions may offer more regular hours.
What’s the salary for a pediatric nurse?
The salary for a pediatric nurse is around $75K per year. However, it depends on the experience, location, and the healthcare setting.
Do pediatric nurses need certification?
Yes, certifications like Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) or Pediatric Nursing Certification (PED-BC) are highly recommended for advancing in this specialty.
Bottom Line
Becoming a pediatric nurse is a meaningful path if done with passion and knowledge. The right nursing degree, clinical experience, and certification can pave the way to a successful pediatric nurse. Pediatric nurses are always compassionate about their work and are always eager to work in different healthcare settings.
