Learn how to become a pediatric nurse, from earning your nursing degree through earning licensure, securing your first pediatric nursing role and pursuing optional certifications. ABSN programs can be an excellent option if you want to start your journey into nursing sooner.
Pediatric nursing is a worthwhile career where you’ll work with children to provide care and support. Wondering how to become a pediatric nurse? You need to first earn a nursing degree, usually a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Then you will pass the NCLEX-RN, attain licensure, then gain experience and target pediatric nursing roles. Optional certifications can also help you stand out and advance.
With college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you can become a nurse more quickly than you might think with an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program.
Why Choose a Career in Pediatric Nursing
Pediatric nursing attracts people who want to care for children and support families through some of the most intense moments of their lives. If you are considering this career, it helps to examine what makes pediatric nursing unique and why many nurses choose it.
A Rewarding Career Working With Children
Pediatric nurses teach children and families about topics like nutrition, activity, sleep, and preventive care. They also use age-appropriate language, play, and distraction to explain procedures and reduce anxiety. These skills build trust and can make a difficult time easier for patients and families.
Many behavioral patterns are formed in childhood, and the healthcare experiences that a child has can shape lifelong attitudes toward health. Pediatric nurses play a part in keeping children healthy now and in the future. Many people with the right personality type find this hugely rewarding.
Career Stability and Demand
Pediatric nurses are in demand, with the total nursing workforce projected to grow by 197,200 by 2033. Pediatric nurses can work in a range of environments including:
- Children’s hospitals
- Community clinics
- Hospitals
- Homes
- Private practices
- Schools
- Urgent care centers
This demand will continue for the foreseeable future, and nurses with the skills to interact with and treat young patients will continue to have a place. You can continue in this stable career for decades and still find opportunities, provided you continue to develop your skills over time.
Work That Builds Your Nursing Skills
Pediatric nurses develop strong assessment skills, precise medication calculation habits, and keen situational awareness. You learn to detect subtle changes in breathing, hydration, and behavior. You practice safe dosing based on weight and development. You learn to manage challenging conversations.
These skills can transfer to leadership roles, care coordination, advanced practice, quality improvement, and education. They also mold you into a more skilled professional if you want to stay in pediatric nursing.
How to Become a Pediatric Nurse
Becoming a pediatric nurse follows the same core path as any registered nurse, with additional steps after earning licensure. From finding the best way to earn a nursing degree to potential certifications, these steps will guide you into pediatric nursing.
1. Earn a Nursing Degree
Your first decision is choosing which nursing degree you want to pursue. You can become a nurse with an associate’s degree, but anything below a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can negatively impact your career opportunities. A traditional on-campus BSN program is typically four years.
If you have a previous non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a certain amount of college credits, an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program could be the best option for you. ABSN programs can typically be completed in 12-18 months, usually blending online-based coursework with in-person labs and clinicals at a program site. Nursing programs are not solely aimed at pediatric nurse schooling, so look for additional learning opportunities.
Make sure that your program is accredited by CCNE or ACEN. Ask admissions staff if the program can provide pediatric simulation resources or clinical rotations.
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN and Earn Licensure
Graduation alone does not mean you can immediately begin working full-time as a nurse. You will need to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to earn your license. The NCLEX-RN tests candidates to see if they meet standards consistent with entry-level nursing practice.
If your nursing program is in a Nurse Licensure Compact state, a multistate license can make it easier to relocate in the future.
3. Gain Clinical Nursing Experience
Some new graduates start in pediatrics through nurse residency programs. Many begin in general nursing practice to see what areas of nursing they gravitate toward, then move into pediatrics. If your first role is not in pediatrics and you decide you want to explore this specialty, focus on transferrable skills and engage in pediatric cross-training if possible.
4. Pursue Pediatric Nursing Opportunities
If you are a practicing RN and know you want a pediatric nursing role, you can apply to settings that care for children including children’s hospitals, private practices or schools.
Hospitals often use 12-hour shifts that could include nights, weekends, and holidays. Clinics and schools tend to follow weekday schedules with holidays off. Home care can offer flexible hours. Many nurses change settings as family needs change. You can ask about staffing ratios when looking for a role to see if an employer is right for you.
5. Consider Certification
As a pediatric nurse, if you want this to be your career path then you might consider earning optional certifications. Continuing education as a nurse should be a career-long focus as new techniques and treatments emerge.
The Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam is a way to validate your knowledge and expertise as a pediatric nurse. It can make you stand out in your role and highlights you as a potential candidate for advancement.
Pursue Your Pediatric Nursing Journey Today
With a better understanding of how to become a pediatric nurse, do you want to make a change and work toward this career path? You can make a difference in the lives of children and their loved ones while working in a flexible and in-demand field.
A nursing degree is essential to become a pediatric nurse. Fill out the form to find and connect with the right nursing school for you.
