Pediatric Nurse Requirements

A lot of patience and excellent communication skills, as you need to deal with children, are just a few qualities of a good nurse. There are two types of nurses: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and a Registered Nurse (RN).

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 nursing schools that offer specialized courses for people aspiring to become nurses.

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.

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

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 makes you eligible for the NCLEX exam. In certain nursing schools, there are programs that allow nurses with Associate degree to complete bachelor's degree in 2 years.

Having a bachelor's degree is the best educational option if you wish to be a certified pediatric nurse. This degree is offered in the United States and Canada. The college fees for bachelor's degree program are quite high. However, a bachelor's degree is not only preferred, but is even mandatory in several states.

One can opt for master's degree after completing the bachelor's degree. Master's degree in nursing is offered by senior colleges or universities. Having a master's degree is beneficial as it gives you the qualification and opportunity to explore various branches of nursing. A master's degree is essential in order to become a nurse manager or nurse leader.

Registered nurses are preferred over licensed practical nurses as they are more qualified. Being a registered nurse is beneficial for a long-term career.

There are other advanced and specialized programs for qualifying as a nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist. 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.

NCLEX or the National Council Licensure Examination is the examination undertaken to provide certification for nursing in the 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 have a career as a certified pediatric nurse. One needs to have at least 2 years of experience to be eligible for the exam.

Becoming a certified nurse is beneficial as it can make job-finding easier, escalate your salary, and also boost your career. There is a great demand for certified pediatric nurses all over the world.

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.

The salary for a registered nurse ranges from $41,000 to $90,000 p.a., depending on qualification and experience. If you seriously want to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse, you need to complete these basic requirements. If you like dealing with youngsters, and wish to pursue a career in the medical field, being a pediatric nurse is perfect for you.