Growing Career of Pediatric Nurses

Answer 1

Pediatric nurses specialize in care to infants, children and adolescents in a variety of settings including hospitals, doctor's officers, schools, and emergency rooms. A career in pediatric nursing starts with becoming a registered nurse through an accredited program. At the completion of the nursing program, the nurse will then look for employment in a pediatric setting to gain experience with the growth and development of children. A nursing program will include general details regarding the healthcare needs of children, however there is not a specific program directed towards pediatric nursing in an undergraduate program.

Certified Pediatric Nurses

The knowledge a pediatric nurse acquires will depend on the healthcare setting of practice; for instance a pediatric nurse in the intensive care unit of a hospital will gain extensive knowledge about the critical illnesses and medical equipment used to treat these ill patients. Upon completion of 1800 hours of pediatric nursing experience, a nurse is eligible to take the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam. Certification provides a distinction of specialized pediatric knowledge beyond what is taught in an undergraduate nursing program and allows the candidate the opportunity for increased compensation and excelling in the career field. To maintain certification, the CPN must complete continuing education courses to stay current on evolving requirements. Additionally, a nurse may pursue advanced educations through a master's program typically lasting two years in duration and become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP). The responsibilities increase with advancement and can include management of children's care, developmental assessments and well child examinations. PNPs in the hospital setting may care for the chronic condition of a child and manage the medical, surgical and nursing care for the child. In the United States, PNPs have the authority to write prescriptions.

Job Outlook

According to payscale.com, the average salary of a pediatric is between $35,608 and $54,045. The average salary will vary based on the education level, experience and location of the job. As with nursing in general, the need for pediatric nurses is expected to grow at a greater than average rate.