What steps do I need to take to become a pediatric nurse? How can I set myself up for success to care for infants and kids? In this article, we'll walk you through the necessary steps to become a pediatric nurse, along with other important things to know about becoming a pediatric nurse, so you have the knowledge and resources needed to succeed.
Pediatric nurses play an important role in the well-being and care of children from infancy through adolescence and can make a significant difference in young patients' lives.
Pediatric nurses are registered nurses (RNs) with specialized training in pediatric nursing who work in various healthcare settings such as doctor's offices, clinics, hospitals, and surgical centers. They provide care and support to children from infancy through age 18, addressing a wide range of medical conditions.
Pediatric nurses work to assess patients' physical and emotional health, administer medications and treatments, collaborate with healthcare teams, educate patients and families on health promotion, and advocate for children's well-being. With their expertise and compassionate approach, pediatric nurses play a vital role in ensuring the optimal health and recovery of young patients.
Pediatric nurses have many job responsibilities including:
Conducting comprehensive assessments of pediatric patients' physical and emotional health
Monitoring and documenting vital signs, symptoms, and changes in condition
Administering medications and treatments according to prescribed protocols
Educating patients and their families on health promotion, disease prevention, and self-care practices
Providing emotional support and reassurance to children and their families during medical procedures and hospitalizations
Performing diagnostic tests, collecting specimens, and interpreting results
Assisting physicians and specialists during examinations and procedures
Pediatric nurses should have similar skills to registered nurses, however, one of the biggest differences is a passion for helping infants, children, and teenagers. Here are other skills you should possess as a pediatric nurse:
Strong clinical skills and the ability to perform comprehensive assessments of pediatric patients' health
Specialized knowledge in pediatric nursing, including understanding developmental stages, common childhood illnesses, and pediatric pharmacology
Proficiency in administering immunizations and following vaccination schedules according to established protocols
Exceptional patient care, including monitoring vital signs, assessing symptoms, and implementing appropriate interventions
Effective communication skills, both with young patients and their families, to provide education, support, and reassurance
Accurate medical documentation and records to ensure continuity of care and adherence to regulatory standards
The average salary for a pediatric nurse is about $78,000 according to Salary.com. However, if you become a traveling pediatric nurse, your salary could be upwards of $100,000 a year. Whether you choose to travel or not, you can make a great living as a pediatric nurse.
The job outlook for all registered nurses is expected to grow by 6% by 2032. While there isn't specific data for pediatric nurses, there is an increasing demand for pediatric nurse practitioners, making this a high-demand job for the future.
Ready to learn how to become a pediatric nurse? The good news is that the steps to get into pediatric nursing aren't much different than the steps to become a registered nurse. There are just a couple more things you'll need to do:
To become a pediatric nurse, a minimum of a two-year associate degree in nursing is required. However, many choose to pursue a more comprehensive path by enrolling in a four-year bachelor's degree of science to fully understand the field they are entering. BSN programs offer a more comprehensive education on how nursing practice aligns with the broader healthcare landscape, providing greater career opportunities in the future.
After graduating from a nursing program, graduates must take the National Council Licensure Examination, also called the NCLEX exam, to become a registered nurse. Hospitals typically require a passing score before offering employment, although some may allow you to take the exam by a specified date after being hired. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing utilizes the NCLEX-RN to evaluate a nurse's skills and competency.
As a newly licensed nurse, you have the opportunity to apply for entry-level positions in pediatric nursing or participate in pediatric nurse residency programs. You can also work or volunteer in healthcare settings that cater to children or work in a children's hospital on one of the following floors: orthopedic, transplant, or PICU. All of these opportunities will expose you to different medical conditions and help you develop the skills to provide compassionate care for kids. Beyond that, this experience sets you up for success to become a certified pediatric nurse or CPN.
After gaining experience, you can apply for your Pediatric Nurse Certification from either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). This certification shows employers that you know more about your specialty than other nurses who only have their RN license. You must have at least two years of nursing experience and an unrestricted license before you apply to take the certification exam to become a certified pediatric nurses. Remember — it's a requirement to have at least two years of nursing experience and an unrestricted license prior to applying for the certification exam to join fellow certified pediatric nurses.
Once you've had at least a year of experience working as a RN, consider apply for travel pediatric nursing jobs. This is a great way to travel while earning more money and working with different kids in need across the United States.
The best part is that applying for travel jobs isn't as hard as you think. When you use a job search platform like Fusion Marketplace, you can save your documents like resume, certifications, and skills checklist and easily apply for jobs. You can also search by pay, location, or preferred medical staffing agency. When you start traveling, the world is truly your oyster!
Your pediatric nursing career can go in so many directions because there are different specialties you can explore — from a pediatric ER nurse to labor and delivery, even a pediatric nurse practitioner. Here's a quick snapshot of what each one does:
Pediatric nurses often work in pediatricians' offices, community hospitals, or in the pediatric departments of hospitals. They care for infants, children, and adolescents, assisting doctors with their medical care.
See what travel nursing jobs are available here.
Pediatric ER nurses work in the emergency room or in urgent care centers. These registered nurses are responsible for the immediate care and treatment of children who are in critical condition or have suffered serious injuries.
See what travel pediatric ER RN jobs are out there.
Pediatric OR nurses mostly work in operating rooms. They assist in surgical procedures that involve children, ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the process. They also provide post-operative care to monitor recovery and manage any potential complications.
Find traveling pediatric OR nurse jobs here.
Nurses in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) provide care to babies, children, and teens with a range of serious medical conditions. These healthcare professionals mostly handle the administration of medicine, vital sign checks, and provision of support to both sick children and their families.
Search for travel PICU nurse jobs here.
Labor and delivery nurses spend their time with women throughout the birthing process. They perform a variety of important tasks, including the administration of epidurals or other medications, the timing of contractions, and the demonstration of essential skills to new mothers, such as diaper-changing and baby feeding.
See what traveling L&D nurse jobs are available.
A registered nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) work diligently to provide specialized care for newborns and premature infants. They tend to these delicate little ones, ensuring their well-being and offering the necessary support to promote their health and development.
Find travel NICU jobs here.
It depends on the nursing degree you pursue but can vary from two to four years. Most pediatric nurses choose to obtain certification from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) to further enhance their qualifications and expertise in this specialized area of nursing. From there, it can take time to gain clinical experience, along with continuing education such as becoming a certified pediatric nurse.
It can take pediatric nurses two to four years to earn a nursing degree. The shorter option is to pursue an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), which typically takes around two years to complete and allows individuals to become pediatric registered nurses. Another path involves earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN degree, in four years.
According to Nurse.org, the average salary for pediatric nurses ranges from $62,000 to $98,000 per year. The actual salary may be influenced by various factors such as the nurse's level of education, certifications, and the specific healthcare setting they work in. Pediatric nurses that travel have the potential to earn even more money.
In hospitals, clinics, and private practices, pediatric nurses work dedication and compassion. These are some of the highest-paying states for pediatric nurses: Maine, California, Minnesota, Nevada, and Alaska.