What Does Being a Pediatric Nurse Entail?
Pediatric Nursing is a specialized field for nurses to pursue that chiefly involves working with infants and children up until adolescence. They are registered nurses who have completed a minimum of an associate's degree and have attained their RN licensure. There are special certifications that are available, as well, and those added credentials will help solidify and bolster a body of experience.
If you pursue pediatric nursing, your career will entail days full of caring for babies and children. On some days, you might find that you actually need to pay more attention to the parents, but that is all part of the position. Your specific position could be as a charge nurse, direct caregiver, consultant, or administrator, among many possibilities. Graduates careers as certified pediatric nurse practitioners can take many different directions, all depending on you and your passions.
However, your career will first entail earning at least a bachelor's degree in nursing, which you can find through online learning. You can start with an associate degree that will lead to registered nurse (RN) licensure. From there, you can pursue pediatric nursing certification, or you might choose higher education, or both. When you advance your academic credentials, you can consider pursuing any specialty where pediatric nurses work, such as pediatric oncology, cardiology, or a position in a pediatric intensive care unit. For some specialties, you may need to advance your education through a master's degree, while others will only require experience. Nursing professionals who aim to become a certified pediatric nurse can care for children and adolescents at a major medical center, such as children's hospitals, or in smaller doctor's offices as advanced practice registered nurses.
Components of A Successful Career in Pediatric Nursing
A successful career as a pediatric nurse is first built on education. When you decide to become a pediatric nurse, the first thing you want to do is find the very best nursing school you possibly can. Make sure that it is fully accredited and that it suits your needs. There are online options and those that offer hybrid (online and in-person) courses. However, nursing students who choos to earn their degree online will still need to complete clinical practicums at a nearby location.
You can become a pediatric nurse after you attain an associate degree in nursing (ADN). With an ADN you can become licensed as a registered nurse (RN), which will enable you to work in a pediatrician's office or perhaps on the neonatal unit or pediatric intensive care unit of your local hospital. Once they have logged enough hours, registered nurses might then earn a pediatric nursing certification, which allows them to provide a higher level of care for children and adolescents.
If you attain certification and become a pediatric nurse, you can further develop your credentials with added education. For instance, if students attain a master's degree, they can work toward becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner in either primary or acute care. There are certifications for each, which will help lend added credibility to your resume.
Typical Pediatric Nursing Program Requirements
Through your ADN and BSN degrees, you will primarily study general nursing coursework. However, your program might allow you to choose specific areas for your clinical work. Nurses must work in a number of environments during their clinicals, however, if there's a way to do extra rotations in neonatal units or at children's hospitals or a children's medical center, you can highlight this on your resume.
Typical Pediatric Nursing Certifications Needed
Once you have been practicing in pediatrics for a time and have decided to make this your life's work, you can pursue a certification. The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board provides RN's an opportunity to pass an exam and thus become a Certified Pediatric Nurse. If you decide to pursue a graduate degree, they also certify Pediatric Nurse Practitioners for either primary or acute care.
You can also pursue certificates and certifications from The American Midwifery Certification Board, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the National Certification Corporation. Each of these organizations offer new credentials that can help you craft your career to reflect your specific interests and strengths after you've passed the NCLEX-RN exam.
Academic Standards for Pediatric Nursing Degrees
Nursing school is competitive and demanding. Furthermore, rapid growth in the healthcare industry has resulted in high demand for nursing schools, so you must be prepared to study hard whether you attend a traditional or online program. Though some programs only require a 2.0 GPA to remain in good standing, you should strive for a 3.0 or better.
Exam/Experience Needed for Pediatric Nursing Degrees
To gain admittance to a nursing degree program, you might prepare yourself by first working as an LPN or CNA, which will both impress admissions counselors and reinforce your desire to work in the field. There is no specific test for entering nursing school, but you will need to pass an exam in order to become licensed as an RN. Once you qualify as an RN, you can begin working in pediatrics.
Professional Organizations
SPN
Society of Pediatric Nurses
The SPN is an organization that provides a vast array of resources to Pediatric Nurses. Their ranks boast 3500 members across 28 different specialty areas. As a member, you'll have access to educational resources, pediatric news, and national networking opportunities.
NAPN
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
This organization is specifically for those who have achieved an MSN and who are practicing Nurse Practitioners. The association provides continuing education resources, a free pediatric healthcare magazine, 50 chapters nationwide, and even patient education materials, among many other benefits. On top of that, you can network with at least 9,000 other NPs.
NANN
National Association of Neonatal Nurses
If you specialize in neonatal patients, this association can provide a bounty of resources and networking possibilities. As a member, you can participate in online discussions, receive free educational materials, and attend the association's annual meeting. The organization will also be helpful when you need continuing education materials and other resources for your professional development.
AWHONN
Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
AWHONN is packed with resources that will inform and propel your career to the next level. There are educational materials to deepen your knowledge, resources to deepen your practice, and even courses that will help you achieve new certifications. On top of this, their national convention will enable you to meet and connect with colleagues from across the nation.