Nursing Specialties
Pediatric Nurse

Pediatric Nurse

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What is a Pediatric Nurse

A pediatric nurse specializes in working with infants, children, and teenagers. Life is always exciting as a pediatric nurse! With a wide range of age groups and health conditions to care for, your time as a pediatric nurse is filled with plenty of variety, unique challenges, and heartwarming moments. 

A pediatric nurse is passionate about providing the best quality care to their patients- and this requires a huge heart, specialized skills, and a watchful eye! Children are vulnerable to a wide range of acute and chronic illnesses. They react to and experience disease processes differently than adults.  

A pediatric nurse provides dedicated care to our younger population and is often able to receive advanced training and specialize in a particular area of pediatrics- such as pediatric emergency care, pediatric oncology, or pediatric critical care. Other pediatric nurses obtain advanced degrees. The sky is the limit!‍

What does a Pediatric Nurse Do?

A pediatric nurse provides nursing care to children as young as a few days old, and up to teenagers ready to graduate high school. Their nursing care can be similar to other specialties- but with a kid-friendly twist!  

General activities may include:

  • Taking pediatric patient histories
  • Performing pediatric-specific assessments
  • Recording vital signs
  • Administering medications or immunizations
  • Monitoring lab results and response to therapy
  • Alerting the medical team to important changes that need further attention and intervention
  • Educating children and their families

A pediatric nurse incorporates developmental knowledge to care for each child’s emotional and physical needs. An infant, school-aged child, and teenager (and their parents!) will all require different approaches, explanations, and education to meet their needs. 

A pediatric nurse not only cares for young patients, but provides support to their parents as well. A stellar pediatric nurse can calm nerves, gain trust, and collaborate with parents. 

Pediatric nurses educate parents and children on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Communication is key for the pediatric nurse- with parents, and with children who are too young or unable to tell healthcare providers what they are feeling. 

Pediatric Nurse

What skills does a Pediatric Nurse need?

Pediatric nurses assess children accurately and are skilled in evaluating each child’s response to treatment. They know the normal pediatric parameters for labs and vitals, which can differ depending on a child’s age. A pediatric nurse has many unique and specialized nursing skills! Kids are not just little adults. 

Medication administration is critical in pediatrics. Dosing is individually based on the child’s weight, whereas adult doses are often more standardized. Pediatric nurses take the utmost care when calculating and administering medication to children. 

Pediatric nurses are pros at performing age-specific technical skills. As a pediatric nurse, you’ll be starting IVs and doing other technical nursing skills for all age groups- from infants up to teenagers!

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What skills does a Pediatric Nurse need?

Pediatric nurses assess children accurately and are skilled in evaluating each child’s response to treatment. They know the normal pediatric parameters for labs and vitals, which can differ depending on a child’s age. A pediatric nurse has many unique and specialized nursing skills! Kids are not just little adults. 

Medication administration is critical in pediatrics. Dosing is individually based on the child’s weight, whereas adult doses are often more standardized. Pediatric nurses take the utmost care when calculating and administering medication to children. 

Pediatric nurses are pros at performing age-specific technical skills. As a pediatric nurse, you’ll be starting IVs and doing other technical nursing skills for all age groups- from infants up to teenagers!

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Pediatric Nurses

Work settings for Pediatric Nurses

A pediatric nurse can work in a traditional environment such as a hospital, urgent care center, clinic, or doctor’s office. They also work in schools, for community organizations, and provide in-home care. Some pediatric nurses provide telehealth consults or work from home. 

You can enjoy access to a wide range of work settings across the United States that can fit your individual preferences. Don’t want to work nights? Or weekends? Or maybe you do- no matter what, you can find a pediatric nursing job that works for your lifestyle. 

Common Cases Pediatric Nurses Encounter

Pediatric nurses encounter a wide range of diagnoses and cases. Here are some of the most common: 

  • Medical:  Infections such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchiolitis, cellulitis, and urinary tract infections. Children may need care for dehydration, infant jaundice, cancer, and other diagnoses. 
  • Mental Health:  Depression, mood disorders, and bipolar disorder. Pediatric nurses provide both inpatient and outpatient mental health care.
  • Surgical: Bone fractures, appendicitis, and abdominal surgeries such as pyloric stenosis. Children involved in accidents may require surgery and specialized trauma care. 

How to Become A Pediatric Nurse

To become a pediatric nurse, you will need to complete an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. After that, your next steps are:

  • Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for your RN license after graduation.
  • Apply to work in a pediatric setting in a hospital, doctor’s office, clinic, or other location.
  • Continue your education to further hone your pediatric skills!

How to Advance Your Career As A Pediatric Nurse

A pediatric nurse can further their career by getting an advanced nursing degree- such as a master’s or doctoral degree with a pediatric focus. With an advanced degree, you can become a:

  • Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS)
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP). PNPs work in various settings, including primary, acute, and psychiatric care. 
  • Pediatric Nurse Educator 
  • Pediatric Nurse Manager

Education Requirements & Helpful Certification

To become a pediatric nurse, you will need to complete an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. After that, your next steps are:

  • Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for your RN license after graduation.
  • Apply to work in a pediatric setting in a hospital, doctor’s office, clinic, or other location.
  • Continue your education to further hone your pediatric skills!

It takes as little as one year to become a pediatric nurse through an accelerated program, or it can take over four years if you choose to study part-time. It totally depends on your program and lifestyle! 

  • An associate degree program can be completed in two years. 
  • A bachelor’s degree program can be completed in four years. 
  • Accelerated nursing programs are available, especially if you have a prior college degree or healthcare experience. These programs are often one year long. 
  • Many nursing programs offer amazing flexibility. Different schools offer a range of full-time, part-time, and night and weekend classes. 

Average Salary For Pediatric Nurses

Pediatric nurses make between $64,054- $99,588, with a median salary of $78,000, according to Salary.com. Pediatric nurses who specialize or obtain advanced degrees can make significantly more. 

Pediatric nursing pay also varies by state. The May 2021 Bureau of Labor and Statistics report shows which states have the highest (California, Hawaii, and Oregon) and lowest (South Dakota, Alabama, and Mississippi) wages for nurses. This list is not specialty-specific, but pediatric nurse salaries likely follow suit. ‍

Specialty Organizations & Communities

American Academy of Pediatrics

Society of Pediatric Nurses

National Association of School Nurses (NASN)

American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association (APSNA)

Association Of Pediatric Hematology And Oncology Nurses (APHON)

Society Of Pediatric and Cardiovascular Nurses (SPCN)

Ideal Personality Traits

  • Loves and relates well with children and their parents
  • Excellent ability to read nonverbal cues from patients and families
  • Patient, calm, great at reducing children’s fears
  • Works well under pressure
  • Enjoys making an important difference in the lives of pediatric patients! 
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Pediatric Nurse

Pediatric nurses, sometimes called peds nurses, care for children from birth to teenage years who have acute and chronic health conditions. They also manage pediatric basic well-care needs such as immunizations.  These nurses have advanced knowledge and training in child growth and development and in the diseases and conditions that specifically affect children. 

Pediatric nurses may specialize in a particular area, such as pediatric cardiology, pediatric oncology, or pediatric rehab. Caring for children requires special attention and focus on detecting changes in their status, which can rapidly decline. Most importantly, these nurses are caring for an entire family, so they must help parents and the child with any emotional and teaching needs. 

nurse with mask on

Education Requirements

To become a pediatric nurse, you will need to complete an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. After that, your next steps are:

  • Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for your RN license after graduation.
  • Apply to work in a pediatric setting in a hospital, doctor’s office, clinic, or other location.
  • Continue your education to further hone your pediatric skills!

It takes as little as one year to become a pediatric nurse through an accelerated program, or it can take over four years if you choose to study part-time. It totally depends on your program and lifestyle! 

  • An associate degree program can be completed in two years. 
  • A bachelor’s degree program can be completed in four years. 
  • Accelerated nursing programs are available, especially if you have a prior college degree or healthcare experience. These programs are often one year long. 
  • Many nursing programs offer amazing flexibility. Different schools offer a range of full-time, part-time, and night and weekend classes. 

How to advance/career pathway

A pediatric nurse can further their career by getting an advanced nursing degree- such as a master’s or doctoral degree with a pediatric focus. With an advanced degree, you can become a:

  • Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS)
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP). PNPs work in various settings, including primary, acute, and psychiatric care. 
  • Pediatric Nurse Educator 
  • Pediatric Nurse Manager

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Assess and monitor pediatric patient’s conditions
  • Administer medications, treatments and perform diagnostic tests
  • Assist the physician or PNP with procedures
  • Patient and family teaching about medical conditions
  • Advocate for the child and provide emotional support

MOST COMMON CASES

Pediatric nurses encounter a wide range of diagnoses and cases. Here are some of the most common: 

  • Medical:  Infections such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchiolitis, cellulitis, and urinary tract infections. Children may need care for dehydration, infant jaundice, cancer, and other diagnoses. 
  • Mental Health:  Depression, mood disorders, and bipolar disorder. Pediatric nurses provide both inpatient and outpatient mental health care.
  • Surgical: Bone fractures, appendicitis, and abdominal surgeries such as pyloric stenosis. Children involved in accidents may require surgery and specialized trauma care. 

How to become a

Pediatric Nurse

To become a pediatric nurse, you will need to complete an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. After that, your next steps are:

  • Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for your RN license after graduation.
  • Apply to work in a pediatric setting in a hospital, doctor’s office, clinic, or other location.
  • Continue your education to further hone your pediatric skills!

Specialty Groups and Communities

American Academy of Pediatrics

Society of Pediatric Nurses

National Association of School Nurses (NASN)

American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association (APSNA)

Association Of Pediatric Hematology And Oncology Nurses (APHON)

Society Of Pediatric and Cardiovascular Nurses (SPCN)

The Pros

  • Rewarding to make a difference in a child’s life
  • Enjoy teaching young patients and their families
  • Able to work in a variety of pediatric environments
  • Learn and use multiple skills to deliver pediatric care

The Cons

  • Working with sick children can be emotionally draining, especially if they don’t do well. 
  • Difficult if the family is not committed to improving their child’s health
  • Treatments for children must be precise; there is little room for error.
  • It can be challenging to balance the care of one’s own children and young patients.
smily face illustration

Personality Traits

  • Loves and relates well with children and their parents
  • Excellent ability to read nonverbal cues from patients and families
  • Patient, calm, great at reducing children’s fears
  • Works well under pressure
  • Enjoys making an important difference in the lives of pediatric patients! 
piggy bank illustration

Average Salary

Pediatric nurses make between $64,054- $99,588, with a median salary of $78,000, according to Salary.com. Pediatric nurses who specialize or obtain advanced degrees can make significantly more. 

Pediatric nursing pay also varies by state. The May 2021 Bureau of Labor and Statistics report shows which states have the highest (California, Hawaii, and Oregon) and lowest (South Dakota, Alabama, and Mississippi) wages for nurses. This list is not specialty-specific, but pediatric nurse salaries likely follow suit. ‍

book illustration

Certifications

Once you have your degree, these are your next moves:

  • Pediatric nurses need to be Basic Life Support (BLS) certified
  • Pediatric nurses may need to become Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certified, depending on their work setting.
  • After working as a pediatric nurse, you can become a Certified Pediatric Nurse or CPN. This certification shows your advanced knowledge and dedication to your specialty. You will need to work as a pediatric nurse for 1,800 hours in 24 months, or have worked 3,000 hours in the past five years to be eligible to take this exam. 
  • Other pediatric specialty-specific certifications are available. 
location pin illustration

Work Setting

A pediatric nurse can work in a traditional environment such as a hospital, urgent care center, clinic, or doctor’s office. They also work in schools, for community organizations, and provide in-home care. Some pediatric nurses provide telehealth consults or work from home. 

You can enjoy access to a wide range of work settings across the United States that can fit your individual preferences. Don’t want to work nights? Or weekends? Or maybe you do- no matter what, you can find a pediatric nursing job that works for your lifestyle. 

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