Pediatric Nurse: Career, Training, & Certification

Pediatric Nurse

Specializing in children’s health, pediatric nurses complete an extremely important job function by helping ensure that children are growing up to the best of their ability and health. During the early years, a child’s brain is forming, so this extra attention is important. These nurses help both with preventative care as well as any specific care that is needed during the gamut of childhood illnesses that seem to strike most. Some may focus on a specialty area, such as oncology or dermatology, though many will choose to practice general health checkups in doctor’s offices or hospitals.
 
Salary Outlook

The salary will vary depending on whether a pediatric nurse is registered only, or if they have gone on to advanced training as a nurse practitioner, which could drastically increase salary potential.
 
Average Annual Salary
$57,597
 
Salary Range
$52,457-$68,826
 
Work Environment

Both pediatric nurses and nurse practitioners can expect to work in quite a few different settings, depending on what they prefer. For those who would prefer a larger, more bustling environment, hospitals and large community clinics could be a good fit. On the other hand, smaller doctor’s offices and private practices can give a more intimate community feel to the workplace. This will all depend on whether the nurse lives in an urban environment or not, as demands will change. Critical care units are another area where pediatric nurses are always needed.
 
Requirements

The minimum requirements to become a pediatric nurse include becoming a registered nurse, or RN, through either a diploma nursing program or a four-year bachelor’s degree. A few years of experience is also generally required, though this varies depending on the state of practice. In addition, if a nurse is interested in going a step further to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, they will need to earn a master’s degree in nursing, as well as specialized coursework in pediatrics. Following this up with state certification as an advanced practice nurse is also highly recommended.
 
Career Outlook

All nursing careers are basically primed to increase in the next ten years, and pediatric nursing is certainly no exception. The demand for nurses is always high, and the fact that so many other nurses will be focusing on geriatric care means that more job opportunities for the pediatric side of things will be open as well. The growth rate has been predicted to be excellent, and could increase as much as 20% in the next five years alone, making this one of the most stable industries that one could possibly be in.
 
Professional Organizations
 
Society of Pediatric Nurses
SPN National Office
7794 Grow Drive
Pensacola, FL 32514
Phone: (800) 723-2902
www.pedsnurses.org
 
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
20 Brace Road, Suite 200
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-2634
Phone: (856) 857-9700
Fax: (856) 857-1600
www.napnap.org