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There are many team members that make a difference for patients and doctors in a family doctor’s office. When it comes to the care of children from birth through adolescence (and sometimes into early adulthood), a pediatric nurse is the familiar face that soothes a worried parent, gives immunizations, checks vitals, talks with new mothers about how they are holding up with the changes parenthood brings, and most likely the person who gives a sticker to the brave child at the end of the visit.
Pediatric nurses are the glue that holds a pediatrician’s office together and they make a difference in children’s lives. That is why it is one of the most rewarding careers in nursing and healthcare, according to Scrubs Magazine.
What is a Pediatric Nurse?
A pediatric nurse is the registered nurse that is responsible for:
- Performing routine physical examinations
- Giving care to sick babies, toddlers, children, and adolescents
- Monitoring health conditions
- Giving immunizations
- Talking to family members/guardians about care
- Administering medications
- Planning long-term care
Pediatric nurses find careers in a variety of settings, such as:
- Hospitals
- Family practices
- Pediatricians’ offices
- Long-term care facilities
- Children’s hospitals
- Cancer treatment centers
- Specialists’ offices
Pediatric nurses naturally possess many special skills like:
- Compassionate care
- Calmness under pressure
- The ability to use critical thinking
- Patience and excellent communication skills
Becoming A Pediatric Nurse
The road to becoming a pediatric nurse can be long and difficult, but if you have a passion for improving the lives of children, it will be worth every weekend and late night you spend studying.
In order to become a registered nurse (RN) you must earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university. Each state may have slightly different requirements for obtaining licensure; however, it is a national requirement for you to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). With the proper education, lots of hard work and study, as well as a good, determined attitude, you can achieve your goal of becoming a pediatric nurse.
How Does the Pediatric Nursing Job Market Look For The Future?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a registered nurse as of 2015 is $67,490 per year. As of 2014, there were 2,751,000 RN jobs and that number is expected to rise by 16% through 2024. As the population grows and people have more children, the needs for pediatric nurses will continue to rise.
Related Resource: Become a Telemetry Nurse
Take The Next Step
If your dream is to improve the lives of children and teens through excellent medical care and compassion, a career as a pediatric nurse could be the perfect job for you. You have the drive, so what is stopping you from making your dreams come true? Look into online and on-campus accredited nursing programs today and take the next step towards a rewarding, well-paying job as a pediatric nurse.
