Pediatric nurses specialize in working with children and their families.  There is a huge demand for pediatric nurses.  To become a pediatric nurse, you will need to undergo additional specialized training after graduating from nursing school.  Pediatric nurses can work in clinics, hospitals,  and some family practices.

The role of a pediatric nurse is to provide specialized care for children from infant stage till teenage.  A pediatric nurse deals with a vast range of children’s health issues, helping manage patient care, and helping find and assign resources for future care.   Some pediatric nurses grow to specialize in neonatal or infant care to the extent where they are able to identify likely infant diseases, respiratory infections, and problems with normal development.  They also assist in directing the patients having particular diseases to care centers.  Pediatric nurses can also specialize in individualized care of sick children offering home-treatment or in hospitals for children.

Duties of a pediatric nurse entail starting IVs, performing catheterizations for collecting urine and stool samples, checking and obtaining vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates), performing eye exams, full body assessments, administering medications (intramuscular, intravenous, oral and rectal), educating patient and their families, CPR administration, helping apply splints for fractures, and other allied functions.

Requirements for becoming a Pediatric Nurse

Education
Basic education required is a Bachelor’s degree in Science (BSN) or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).  There is some pediatric content included in every nursing program.

Preparation and advanced education
The pre-requisite for undertaking pediatric training is to first become a nurse.

There are two certain ways of becoming an accomplished Pediatric Nurse.  One is by applying and getting trained on-the-job to receive specialized training and the other is by taking continued education classes to keep oneself updated.

The most important tool for a nurse is to make an accurate diagnosis based on her assessment of the patient by using her eyes, ears, and hands while using a stethoscope, thermometer or a blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer).

Certification
To become a Certified Pediatric Nurse, some experience in a children’s hospital setting is required along with taking a national exam.  Study materials are available with the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

Considerations
Keeping up with the latest technology and procedures required for optimum care of children by taking specialized courses with continued education will enhance the pediatric nurse’s speciality.

Salary
Range would be between US$45,000 and US$50,000 in the first year and between US$43,000 to US$73,000 for nurses with a 20 years plus experience. Advanced education is by far the definite way to earn more money.

Reward
A pediatric nurse’s ultimate reward is being successful in reassuring parents of her patient and ensuring her patient’s complete recovery.

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