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It's no secret that healthcare is a booming business. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an aging population combined with medical advances that have extended life spans longer than ever have made healthcare one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the nation. Registered nurses (RNs) comprise the largest group of health-related workers, not to mention one of the most in-demand. Among the many specializations open to RNs, pediatric nursing is one of the most popular. If you'd like to find meaningful work, caring for sick or injured children, this could be the ideal career for you. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about becoming a pediatric nurse.
What Does a Pediatric Nurse Do?
Pediatric nurses, or PNs, are registered nurses who specialize in the care of children. They perform similar duties as other RNs, though often on a smaller scale. Basic responsibilities can include:
The BLS notes that an increasing demand for healthcare services have made RNs, including pediatric nurses, one of the fastest growing occupations in the nation with a projected employment increase of 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. Most pediatric nurses are based in hospitals, but some choose to work in physicians' offices, health care centers or for home health services instead.
Because they have more training than licensed practical nurses (LPNs), all types of RNs, including pediatric nurses, tend to have more autonomy and responsibility, and are compensated accordingly. BLS reports that the mean annual salary for an RN in May 2009 was $66,530, with the middle 50 percent earning between $52,520 and $77,970.
Some pediatric nurses obtain additional training and certification, and become Certified Pediatric Nurses (CPNs). Because of their specialized training, CPNs tend to earn more than registered pediatric nurses. Those who go on to earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can eventually become pediatric nurse practitioners.
What Are the Steps to Becoming a Pediatric Nurse?
Because pediatric nurses are essentially specialized registered nurses, their training requirements build upon those of a general RN. According to the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN), these are the key steps to take:
Please note that these steps will help you become an RN with a specialty in pediatrics, or a certified pediatric nurse. Students who want to become pediatric nurse practitioners will need additional training and certification, most notably an MSN degree with a pediatric specialty.
How to Become a Great Pediatric Nurse
Pediatric nurses have rewarding, but often exhausting careers. The stress associated with long shifts and the care of sometimes terminally ill children can take its toll. Nonetheless, with hard work and a positive attitude, you could become a great pediatric nurse. Here are some tips that may help:
Resources for Pediatric Nurses
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