Qualities of a Pediatric Nurse

A pediatric nurse has to deal with toddlers and young adolescents, this requires a great deal of patience as they can be uncooperative. Individuals who have a passion for caring for others will excel in this profession.

Pediatric nurses not only address the physical illness but also tend to the psychosocial aspect of their patients. The American healthcare industry is facing a severe crunch in nursing staff and qualified pediatric nurses are in high demand.

Employment for pediatric nurses is available in hospitals, schools, clinics, etc. They are an important part of the medical fraternity as they specialize in caring for children and adolescents. Treating children is quite different from treating adults as the treatment options vary.

Pediatric nursing is a specialization in the field of nursing and it is also one of the most sought after nursing professions. People choose this career as they have an innate desire to care for the sick and wounded and most aspire to be the next Florence Nightingale.

The job can be very demanding and nurses have to work overtime on most days. They not only deal with patients but also have to interact with the patient's families and doctors.

• One of the qualities of a good nurse that you require in abundance is patience as at times you will have uncooperative patients on your hand who resist treatment. Handling emotionally charged and sometimes scared family members will also require patience on part of the nurse.

• Nurses are also required to have good communication skills as they have to explain and make the patients understand the diagnosis and treatment procedure. They also have to effectively communicate the medical reports and symptoms to the doctors.

• The job can be really stressful and you are required to work long hours, hence a nurse needs to have a strong emotional quotient. Dealing with a child in pain can really take a toll on a person's mental make up, so a nurse ought to be mentally strong.

• The ability to think on one's feet and quick reactions are required of a pediatric nurse, especially in emergency situations. Nurses with a good presence of mind will do well in this profession. Understanding the patient's needs and addressing it in a timely manner is required of pediatric nurses.

• The job profile requires lifting heavy objects and standing for extended periods of time, hence nurses should be physically strong. Nurses who have qualities like a pleasant personality and cheerful demeanor will be better equipped to cope with this job profile.

The road to becoming a pediatric nurse is not easy and aspirants will have to first complete a degree level nursing program, before enrolling for a master's program. Upon completion of a bachelor's, you are eligible to enroll for a Master of Science in any Nursing program which can last for 2-3 years.

These master's programs allow students to concentrate on the care of children and infants. The program also allows clinical exposure to aspirants and at times also requires completing a research project. Students will be introduced to topics like health assessment, pharmacology, diagnostics and deliver acute childcare.

The average salary can range anywhere between $35,000 to $85,000 per year, depending on factors like job location, experience and employer type. According to statistics, pediatric nurses employed in states like California get salaries that touch the $95,000 per year mark.

On the other hand low cost of living areas like Texas have salary figures that hover around the $60,000 per year mark. Hourly wages for pediatric nurses working in hospitals range between $19 to $30 and nurses working in clinics make around $18 to $28 per hour.

If you're planning to become a pediatric nurse you should love working with children otherwise the job might become unbearable. Compassion and sympathy are some of the other qualities of a good nurse that you need to develop if you are entering this profession.