Pediatric Nurse Requirements

Pediatric nurses perform nearly all the duties of a regular nurse. The pediatric department is associated with health of children till the age of 16. A lot of patience and excellent communication skills - as you need to deal with children - are just a few of the qualities required to be a good nurse. There are two types of nurses; Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN). Registered nurses are preferred over licensed practical nurses as they are more qualified. Being a registered nurse is beneficial in a long term career.

The pediatric nurse education requirements in order to work as a registered nurse (RN), are a diploma in nursing, associate degree in nursing, bachelor of science in nursing and a master's course. The program structure may vary from state to state. There are many different nursing schools that offer specialized courses for people aspiring to become nurses.

What are the Requirements to Become a Pediatric Nurse?

There are various courses and studies one must complete in order to become a pediatric nurse. In addition to the study material and courses, certification exams also need to be given. The degrees and diplomas one needs for a successful career in nursing include:

Diploma in Nursing: Diploma programs are held in hospitals that may or may not be affiliated to school and colleges. These programs last for 2-3 years. Securing a diploma makes you eligible for the NCLEX examination. Diploma course is considered the first step in a nursing career.

Associate Degree In Nursing (ADN): If you do not wish to spend many years and a lot of money in completing a bachelor's degree, the Associate Degree course is just for you. It is considered to be equivalent to the bachelor's degree and it even makes you eligible for the NCLEX exam.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Having a bachelor's degree is the best educational option if you wish to be a certified pediatric nurse. The college fees for bachelor's degree program are quite high. A bachelor's degree is not only preferred, but is even required in most states.

Master's Degree in Nursing: One can opt for a Master's degree after completing a bachelor's degree. Master's degree in nursing are offered by senior colleges or universities. Having a master's degree is beneficial as it gives one the qualification and opportunity to explore the various branches of nursing.

There are other advanced and specialized programs for qualifying as nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists. The eligibility criteria for these include a master's or a bachelor's course in nursing and 2 years experience as a registered nurse. There are also programs available in certain colleges that help registered nurses who have completed ADN and wish to pursue BSN. Nursing degrees can even be secured online.

Certification Needed to Work as a Pediatric Nurse

NCLEX or the National Council Licensure Examination is the examination undertaken to provide certification for nursing in United States of America. There are two exams, NCLEX-RN for registered nurses, and NCLEX-PN for practical nurses. It is mandatory to pass these exams to get a nursing license.

The Certified Pediatric Nurse exam is conducted by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. This exam is essential to become a certified pediatric nurse. One needs to have at least 2 years of experience to be eligible for the exam. Becoming a certified pediatric nurse is beneficial as it can make finding a job easier, escalate your salary and boost your career. There is a great demand for certified pediatric nurses.

On completing the necessary pediatric nurse requirements, there are different types of nursing careers available. One can work in clinics, hospitals, children wards, public health departments or even with home health agencies. If you wish for a long term and successful career as a nurse, it is always beneficial to have a bachelor's or a master's degree. Once the course is completed, an internship program at a pediatric clinic or a hospital should be undertaken. Practical and clinical experience is more important than your academic curriculum. As you complete master's course, you can go for specialization in emergency areas, cancer care, or burn department. You need to have a minimum experience of 5 years to opt for further specialization.

The salary for a registered nurse ranges from $40,000 to $70,000 on the basis of qualification and experience. If you are seriously thinking of pursuing a career as a pediatric nurse, you need to complete these basic pediatric nurse requirements. If you have the knack of dealing with youngsters, and wish to pursue a career in the medical field, being a pediatric nurse is the perfect option for you.