Children of all ages — whether newborn babies, teens or somewhere in between — have different healthcare needs than adults. A pediatric nurse works closely with pediatricians and others who specialize in pediatric care to provide the unique services that children need.
For registered nurses (RNs), earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is an important step on the pediatric nursing path. Plus, with the flexibility of the online RN to BSN program from The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), working nurses can continue earning an income and gaining valuable experience while they complete their career-advancing degree.
Types of Pediatric Nursing Careers
Pediatric nurses work in various settings, such as doctors’ offices, hospitals and outpatient settings, while others set up their own practices and clinics. Nurses in this specialty can handle a variety of health issues, including acute illnesses and injuries and chronic conditions such as diabetes and allergies. With proper education and credentials, they can also provide routine checkups.
Some pediatric nurses focus on treating children at certain ages or within specialty areas, whereas others treat a broader range of individuals. Essentially, pediatric nurses are registered nurses who specialize in the care of children. They can work in pediatricians’ offices, hospitals or pediatric intensive care units (PICU). They typically work alongside a cadre of other professionals that may include child-life specialists and others to maximize health and prevent disease.
With appropriately advanced education and training, pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) provide more advanced services than pediatric nurses. Nurse practitioners can focus on acute or preventive care for children. Activities include completing routine checkups, ordering and interpreting clinical tests, diagnosing illnesses, managing chronic conditions and prescribing medications. Pediatric nurse practitioners may also open their own practice and, depending on state law governing practice authority, work autonomously.
Requirements for Becoming a Pediatric Nurse
Nurses who specialize in pediatrics need standard nursing education such as a BSN degree. Most employers require nurses receive their education from accredited programs like UTA’s accelerated, online BSN. Additional specialized education in pediatrics is also typically a requirement, as in the following examples:
- Pediatric nurse: Some facilities require specialized training in pediatrics before beginning to work with children. Other facilities will hire a nurse for a pediatric position without having specific pediatric qualifications and will provide an extended orientation to prepare the nurse to work with this population.
- Pediatric nurse practitioner: To become a PNP requires additional education and certification. After a nurse earns their BSN degree, they can pursue a PNP-oriented Master of Science in Nursing, which typically requires one to two years of nursing experience before admission. The prospective nurse practitioner also must apply to and secure approval from the state board of nursing. In addition, it is necessary to successfully complete a pediatric nurse practitioner certification examination.
The Skills Pediatric Nurses Need
Pediatric nurses need a host of skills to excel in their roles. In addition to clinical skills gained through education and work, pediatric nurses need certain “soft skills,” including the following:
- Communication: Pediatric nurses must communicate clearly and age-appropriately. They need to glean information from young children who cannot always adequately describe their symptoms.
- Education: The pediatric nurse plays a key role in educating the child and the child’s parents on important health issues.
- Compassion: Pediatric nurses need to be compassionate, and they must excel at listening to and answering questions. An easygoing disposition and sense of humor helps.
- Sensitivity: Children in the pediatric nurse’s office might be frightened and unsure what to expect. The younger the child, the more difficult it is for them to understand what is happening. The pediatric nurse needs to be able to reassure and calm the child.
It is exciting and challenging to work with children and watch them grow. Pediatric nursing is rewarding, and there is always a demand for pediatric care nurses. For those who are drawn to this area, now is a great time to explore the possibilities.
Learn more about UTA’s online BSN program.
