What's the Job Description of a Pediatric Nurse?
Pediatric nurses provide preventative care and clinical treatment to children for birth to age 18. Learn about the job description, education and licensing requirements for pediatric nurses. Find out the job outlook and salary expectations.
Pediatric Nurse Job Description
As a pediatric nurse, your main duties will include providing critical and preventive care to infants, children, and adolescents. The pediatric specialization is available at any occupational level of nursing, from licensed practical nurse (LPN) to advanced practice nurse.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> Doctor's office, hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, and sometimes schools and community centers</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Communication, empathy, dedication, endurance</td></tr>
<tr><td> On-the-Job Training </td><td> Residency programs are available</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Dental Hygienist</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---JobDuties">Job Duties</h3><p>As a pediatric LPN, you would provide basic bedside care to young people and perform simple medical tests, often under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). Typical duties of pediatric RNs are more extensive and might include operating equipment and aiding in rehabilitation of children. If you work as an advanced practice nurse, such as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner, you'll act as a primary caregiver, providing direct treatments and, in some cases, prescribing medication.
</p><p>Specific tasks that you might perform on a daily basis include giving injections, administering nebulizer treatments, and recording patient histories. You also might work with parents or guardians to educate them about their children's health and explain how to perform simple at-home procedures if necessary.
</p><h3 id="section---EducationAndLicensing">Education and Licensing</h3><p>To become an LPN, you must complete a practical nursing diploma or certificate program, which typically lasts a year, as well as pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for practical nurses. Training to become an RN includes earning an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or diploma in nursing and passing the NCLEX for registered nurses. You'll need at least a master's degree in nursing to become an advanced practice nurse.
</p><h3 id="section---Certification">Certification</h3><p>Determining a career specialty, such as pediatric nursing, generally requires spending some time in the nursing field. After gaining experience as an RN, you might choose to pursue voluntary certification in pediatric nursing, which is offered through agencies like the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). If you're pursuing certification as an advanced practice nurse, you might consider becoming certified as a pediatric clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner.
</p><h3 id="section---SalaryAndJobOutlook">Salary and Job Outlook</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for RNs was $82,750 as of May 2021, while LPNs and LVNs earned an average of $51,850 annually (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). The BLS predicted 6% growth in employment for both RNs and LPNs between 2021 and 2021. Individuals who choose to pursue a bachelor's degree in the field of nursing may find that the additional credential (when compared to a diploma or associate's degree) makes a positive difference in career opportunities.</p>