Working with children is a rewarding specialty for nurses. There are several types of pediatric nurses, each with unique skills and characteristics that help them excel in distinct work environments and patient care scenarios. This blog explores nursing paths for those wanting to pursue a pediatric nursing career, starting with earning your BSN.
Characteristics of Pediatric Nurses
Pediatric nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who specifically care for infants, children, and adolescents in various health care settings. When determining if this role is right for you, it is important to be honest about whether you enjoy working with children and that you are a compassionate individual who can support patients and their families through both good news and bad.
When caring for children, pediatric nurses have opportunities to support and advocate for the health of their patients through parental education and guidance. Whether the child is being evaluated as part of a routine well-child visit or presenting with an acute or chronic illness, patient and family education is paramount.
Other skills that are helpful for pediatric nurses include:
- Attention to detail that helps capture a thorough examination
- Patience and empathy for supporting a child’s emotions
- Creativity for developing age-appropriate teaching and assessment methods
- Adaptability for adjusting when unexpected situations arise
Pediatric nurses who approach patient care with a collaborative, teamwork mentality will likely involve children and their legal guardians in a holistic and comprehensive care plan. Many pediatric nurses share the responsibility to care for young children and adolescents with other members of an interdisciplinary team and guardians, so effective communication is essential.
Role and Responsibilities of Pediatric Nurses
Establishing rapport and trust with families is a meaningful part of pediatric nursing and can help foster confidence and continuity of care as infants grow through their adolescent years.
The responsibilities of pediatric nurses are similar to other nursing specialties but have unique features related to the population. Health assessments must be conducted with techniques appropriate for visualizing pediatric anatomy, and awareness of body weight is critical for properly dosing medications. Further responsibilities of pediatric nurses include:
- Administering immunizations
- Assisting with medical procedures and surgeries
- Family education and emotional support
- Awareness, identification and reporting of potential abuse and neglect
Health promotion is an essential part of pediatric nurse education, especially when helping new parents navigate child growth and development or encouraging injury prevention methods. Pediatric nurses are sometimes the first to notice hearing or visual deficits in children that, when corrected, can positively impact social connection and learning.
Pediatric nurses who wish to become certified in the specialty have options for validating competency through examination. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers a pediatric nursing certification, as does the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
Types of Pediatric Nurses
Pediatric registered nurses work in various environments, including schools, hospitals, and pediatrician offices or clinics. Some of the different types of pediatric nurses are designated based on setting, age, or pediatric subspecialty and are further explained below.
The salary and job outlook remain favorable for those considering a career in pediatric nursing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for RNs in May 2023 was approximately $86,070. Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
NICU Nurse
A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse provides specialized nursing care to newborn infants experiencing medical complications or critical illness. A neonatal nurse also cares for infants who are born prematurely. A NICU is a specialized hospital unit where the key responsibilities of NICU nurses take place, including:
- Close monitoring and evaluation
- Ventilation for respiratory support
- Feeding assistance
- Medication administration
The vulnerability of neonates makes working in the NICU one of the faster-paced nursing specializations where critical thinking and compassionate care are crucial.
PICU Nurse
The role of a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) nurse is similar to the NICU nurse where patients are experiencing critical illness requiring intensive medical attention. A PICU nurse cares for infants, children, and adolescents and may assist with complex, life-saving interventions and close monitoring of vital signs. Skills that PICU nurses use regularly include:
- Medication administration and monitoring for adverse effects
- Intubations and arterial line placements
- Hemodynamic and neurologic assessment
- Family support and patient advocacy
The NICU and PICU can be difficult work environments because of the emotional toll that can be associated with critical illness. In these positions, nurses need to manage stress with mindfulness and self-care to avoid burnout proactively.
Labor and Delivery Nurse
The labor and delivery nurse is an exciting combined adult and pediatric nursing specialty area whose primary role is to provide care during childbirth. Labor and delivery care extends into the immediate postpartum period as well, when these pediatric registered nurses help facilitate a successful transition from the hospital to the home.
Part of the labor and delivery nursing role is to provide emergency response interventions in the face of complications. Situations such as maternal hemorrhage or fetal distress can prompt a labor and delivery nurse to call other members of the care team and aim to stabilize the mom and baby for a healthy pregnancy outcome.
Perinatal and Pediatric Endocrinology Nurses
Pediatric registered nurses who work with patients in the perinatal period provide care throughout pregnancy, labor/delivery, and the immediate postpartum period. You will also find different pediatric subspecialty providers who focus on an area of specialization within the already specialized pediatric population. An example is the pediatric endocrinology nurse, who works with children and adolescents to manage hormone-related conditions.
Examples of endocrinology issues that a pediatric endocrinology nurse may encounter include:
- Diabetes and blood glucose monitoring
- Growth and development concerns
- Thyroid and pituitary disorders that may affect puberty
- Other metabolic and genetic syndromes
These specialists provide nutritional counseling to assist with regulating hormones and supporting healthy child development as a component of nursing education.
How to Become a Pediatric Nurse
Becoming a pediatric nurse begins with nursing education. For those with an earned bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs are available to expedite your journey. Benefits of an accelerated nursing program include:
- Online coursework
- Immersive learning
- Hands-on clinical experiences
- Fast completion timelines
Accelerated programs require aspiring nurses to pursue education with commitment and focus. The timeframe is shorter than traditional BSN programs, leveraging prior education and incorporating innovative teaching methods to train the next generation of future nurses.
Once you have earned your nursing degree, you will need to pass the NCLEX examination and apply for RN licensure. As you gain nursing experience, you may also pursue pediatric certification to validate your skills and dedication to the specialty area. Workshops and continuing education can also contribute to your advancement in the pediatric nursing specialty.
Pursue Your ABSN Degree With Holy Family University
Holy Family University (HFU) offers an excellent option for those desiring an ABSN degree to launch their career in pediatric nursing. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, Holy Family University is an advantageous choice for completing your nursing degree with compelling program features like:
- Graduation in just 14 months (one of the fastest programs in Pennsylvania)
- Flexible hybrid learning
- More affordable than local programs
- High NCLEX-RN pass rates (96% in 2024)
- Fewer prerequisite courses required (5 at HFU vs. 8 or 9 with competitors)
Visit the Second Degree Distance Hybrid BSN program page to download your guide and learn more about this accelerated pathway toward a pediatric nursing career.
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