Choosing a job that is going to fulfill your personal goals in life is not only complicated and confusing, but with today’s economy can leave you struggling to find a career. The demand for excellent nurses is always high, as very few nurses will actually make it through their first three years of practice. Pediatric nursing is one of the growing branches of nursing because of the increased amount of children being born in the United States.
Job Responsibilities
Nurses who choose to enter into pediatric care have many different options as to what age of children they want to work with. Neonates, newborns, sick children, terminal, and children who visit the ER are all different branches of nursing within pediatrics. The spectrum of care you will give these children will often vary depending on what type of nurse you are. Often LPNs will only work in newborn nursery’s or with older children and their duties will include running blood tests, checking vital signs, administering some medications, urine and solid waste output. RNs can work in any area they choose within pediatrics. They will perform all of the duties LPNs do as well as hanging blood if needed, administering pain medications, and supervising LPNs. Nurse practitioners will oversee both nurses and often give orders for what medications and care needs to happen with each and every child. But most of all, it is the nurse’s duty to make sure each child feels loved and comforted by the nurse that cares for them in the absence of their parents.
Salary Expectations
The pediatric nurse salary starts at around $30,000 a year, although with the right education, new nurses in some parts of the country may be able to find jobs with starting salaries close to $40,000 a year. The outlook for the salary of a pediatric nurse is bright, with veteran nurses earning as much as $70,000 or more after twenty years in the medical field.
For those who have the ambition to become pediatric nurse practitioners, the rewards are even greater. The average pediatric nurse practitioner salary is $82,590 a year, with higher-end salaries reaching almost $90,000 annually. With the additional salary comes an increase in the responsibilities, however. A pediatric nurse practitioner receives extra training in pediatric medicine which allows her to write prescriptions for medication, much as a physician would. They can also request X-rays and other medical exams and tests to diagnose a child's condition. Pediatric nurse practitioner certification comes through a nursing exam called the NCLEX-RN, as well as through the academic qualification of the nurse practitioner. A master's degree is also required to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. Finally, the candidate must pass licensing tests in the state where she intends to practice medicine.
Education and Training
With all of this in mind, you may be asking yourself, "How long does it take to become a pediatric nurse?" The basic training to become licensed as a pediatric nurse takes a year to complete and you’ll find many universities locally and online that offer courses. In fact, online nursing degrees are becoming far more common due to the growing acceptance, high quality and convenience.
The training for a registered nurse, however, can take anywhere from two to four years to complete. Registered nurses have two options for training: a two-year associate’s degree or four-year bachelor’s degree. A lot of community colleges offer these training courses, and there are many online options. Which course you decide to take will be dependent on your own specific needs, but online and classroom settings are both equally as good. Both online and classroom settings require clinical hours which you will attend at a hospital assigned from each course under the supervision of a RN. The specialization that many nurses pursue is typically learned through on-the-job experience rather than through formal education. The training requirements necessary to gain licensure in pediatric nursing vary from state to state, so it is important to know the requirements in the state in which you wish to work.
Becoming a pediatric nurse is one of the most rewarding career choices you can make. You will be helping children and will have the job security and financial benefits that your family requires in these tough economic times. Pediatric nursing is a wise choice for anyone looking for a career which is both personally and professionally satisfying.