The role of a pediatric nurse can be quite different from other types of nurses. If you have a natural rapport with children and a desire to play an important role in their wellbeing and healthy development, becoming a pediatric nurse might provide the gratifying, meaningful career youвЂ™re looking for. Pediatric nursing is a specialization requiring an ability to connect with kids in a language and demeanor that comforts them (and their parents).

Understand the specialized role of a pediatric nurse Pediatric nurses can work in a variety of settings, and duties can vary from workplace to workplace.1. Being able to sympathize with what a patient is experiencing will help the visit go more smoothly. вЂњTo kids, this could very well be the scariest thing they have had to deal with,вЂќ says Leon. Excellent problem-solving skills can help you succeed and add to patient safety.Д¬ompassion: A big dose of compassion is sometimes the best care a pediatric nurse can provide. Problem Solving: Pediatric nurses will often need to identify health problems and then start care. вЂњKids play by their own rules, so you need to be able to manage time well for whatever they throw at you,вЂќ says Leon. This can be especially true for pediatric nurses. Time Management: Nurses need to be able to juggle patient care and administrative tasks to work efficiently.

вЂњOne time I played a game of Uno with a patient to gain their trust then they let me do vital signs and a physical assessment.вЂќ вЂњHospitals can sometimes be boring, so being creative (in addressing) their specific needs can go a long way,вЂќ says Leon. They also need to have effective communication skills to discuss the concerns of parents.Д¬reativity: Sometimes pediatric nurses need to be creative to engage with their patients, especially younger ones. These skills and traits can help you shine in this field.Д¬ommunication: Pediatric nurses need to communicate with patients in a way that makes them feel safe. вЂњChildren bounce back so quickly and it is the most rewarding part of my day to see a kid leave with a smile on their face.вЂќ вЂњThe greatest part about being in pediatric nursing is that it becomes more than just a job-kids depend on your compassion to get through the вЂscary things,вЂ™ and you need finesse to play by their rules to get the job done,вЂќ said Christian Leon, RN, BSN, who works as a pediatric nurse at a childrenвЂ™s hospital in Utah. They often play a crucial role in ensuring that children have a positive healthcare experience. Pediatric nurses do more than care for their patients. What Is a Pediatric Nurse and What Do They Do? Certification demonstrates knowledge and expertise and shows your commitment to a field or specialty. Take your education further by getting a certification like the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) credential. There are many ways to get experience in pediatric nursing, including doing clinical hours in pediatrics as part of your degree or volunteering in the community. These licenses are issued by individual states. Get licensed as a registered nurse (RN):ДЄs you near graduation, youвЂ™ll want to register for the NCLEX-RN exam, a national exam that you must pass to qualify for an RN license. Graduate from an accredited program:ДЄ high-quality program will be accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). While itвЂ™s quicker to get an associate degree, you may find more job opportunities with a bachelorвЂ™s degree. You can be a pediatric nurse with an associate or bachelorвЂ™s degree. These steps can guide you on your journey. Qualifying to work as a pediatric nurse requires education, training, and licensure.

Cpn certification requirements