| Pediatric nursing, or the field of nursing that | | | | from cuts, broken bones and other injuries that, |
| relates to treating children, is a specialized and | | | | while frightening, are highly treatable. Working as a |
| sometimes stressful field. Pediatric nursing is not | | | | pediatric nurse in the oncology unit, on the other |
| for everyone. Before you decide to specialize in | | | | hand, is a very difficult job. The day after day |
| pediatric nursing it is important to understand | | | | exposure to extremely ill children and distraught |
| some of the drawbacks to the field, as well as | | | | parents require a special person to perform this |
| the benefits. | | | | job. Another challenge that many people have |
| How Do I Become a Pediatric Nurse? | | | | with working around pediatric patients that are |
| Pediatric nursing is not offered as a specialty in | | | | very ill is that the children who spend so much |
| nursing school, so the training that pediatric nurses | | | | time in the hospital become close to their |
| receive comes through the job. Some hospitals | | | | caretakers, and the reverse is true as well. A child |
| provide an orientation for nurses that are | | | | in the oncology unit may be there for weeks at a |
| interested in pediatric nursing. This training includes | | | | time, or come in several times a week. This |
| classroom as well as clinical training. Other hospitals | | | | creates a strong attachment between the patient |
| do all of their training on the floor, partnering the | | | | and nurse, which, if the patient does not survive, |
| new pediatric nurse with an experienced nurse as | | | | is very painful. |
| a mentor. Regardless of which method is used at | | | | For those that can work as a pediatric nurse with |
| the hospital where you are employed, no one | | | | very sick patients, the job can be very rewarding. |
| expects you to come directly from nursing school | | | | The joys of watching a child regain his strength |
| prepared to work in pediatrics without additional | | | | and get to return to school cannot be compared |
| training. | | | | to any other situation, and the bond that you |
| Beyond the training that you receive from the | | | | develop with your young patients is priceless. |
| hospital, there is specialized coursework available | | | | To determine if you are suited to work as a |
| for nurses who are interested in becoming | | | | pediatric nurse, it helps to be very self aware. Are |
| pediatric nurses. The American Heart Association | | | | you easily upset? Does seeing other people sad |
| offers a Pediatric Advanced Life Support course, | | | | or frightened upset you? If so, pediatric nursing |
| and the Emergency Nurses Association offers the | | | | may not be your best career path. If you want |
| Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course. There is also | | | | to work with children, but are concerned that you |
| the Society of Pediatric Nurses, a professional | | | | may not be comfortable working around very |
| association for those in the field. After you have | | | | sick children, consider a career as a pediatric nurse |
| received training in pediatric nursing, you may | | | | in the emergency room or operating room. In |
| want to obtain the Certified Pediatric Nurse | | | | those places you are exposed to less illness and |
| certificate, which is available by exam. | | | | you are not around the same children for |
| Do I Want to Become a Pediatric Nurse? | | | | extended periods of time. |
| While these facts address the amount of training | | | | Make Pediatric Nursing Work for You |
| that is involved in pediatric nursing, they do not | | | | If you choose to become a pediatric nurse, there |
| explain the emotional toll of working as a pediatric | | | | are a variety of steps that you can take to |
| nurse. Because pediatric nurses work solely with | | | | reduce the stress of your job. Regular exercise |
| those under eighteen, it can be a difficult job. | | | | and healthy eating both contribute to a general |
| Working with young patients that are very ill is | | | | sense of well being. It is also important to develop |
| stressful. Not only must you deal with your | | | | an informal support group of friends or family |
| patient, but the parents as well. It is a job that | | | | members that you can talk to about the stress |
| can be rewarding, but draining as well. For those | | | | of your day. Another way to reduce the stress |
| that are interested in working with children, it | | | | involved in pediatric nursing is to rotate to other |
| helps to understand what is involved. | | | | units. Spend some time in the pediatric intensive |
| Some types of pediatric nursing are less stressful | | | | care unit, and then move to the OR. Not only |
| than others. Working in the emergency room of a | | | | does this give you an emotional break, but it |
| pediatric hospital will provide a good deal of | | | | provides you with a well rounded skill set. |
| variety to your day, and most patients suffer | | | | |