Yes. These are 10 of the top industry organizations for pediatric nurses and pediatric nurse practitioners: This organization founded in 1973 has some 9,000 members, which includes advanced practice pediatric nurse practitioners, child healthcare experts, noted authors and professionals working in the pediatric healthcare industry. Knowing what type of program best fits your learning style helps alleviate difficulties in completing the program. The National Council Licensure Exam for RNs is offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Today’s students have more options than ever before with accelerated degrees, online degrees, self-guided degrees, hybrid degrees, and of course, on-campus degree programs. A lot can change in that span. National organization dedicated to optimizing student health and increasing educational opportunities for school nurses. This article has been viewed 57,919 times. Earning one of the specialty certifications in pediatric nursing or working as a nurse practitioner requires graduate-level education. 3. Master's Degree, Nursing, University of Tennessee Knoxville. There are many specialty job boards for nursing professionals as well, including Nurse Recruiter, Nurse.com, Nursingjobs.com and Health eCareers. It is possible to earn an associate’s degree in nursing before completing the BSN degree or receiving a nursing certificate before completing the bachelor’s degree in nursing. From there, you can go into different specialty areas like pediatric nursing. Step One: Become an RN The first step for becoming any type of nurse is to become an RN, or Registered Nurse. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. You need to be willing and able to be a major figure in office visits — you will often be the “first line” of medical care. Pay the fee ($295 the first time) and apply. You’ll always face the unexpected as a pediatric nurse, but if you prefer providing primary care services like vaccinations, checkups, and dealing with bumps, bruises, and stuffy noses in a somewhat more regimented environment, you may want to work in a pediatrician's office or become a school nurse. Founded in 1992, this organization promotes excellence among pediatric surgical nursing professionals through continuing education, networking, peer support, professional development and annual conferences. This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. In some states, PNPs are also permitted to practice independently. The Society of Pediatric Nurses has an employment center, and hospitals also usually post available positions on internal job boards or on their web sites. Consider earning APN status as a step toward additional advanced certifications and licensures that are also either required or highly recommended for pediatric nurses. Here’s a handful: Certification body for the most widely recognized pediatric nursing certifications. Pediatric nurses choose to face the unique challenges and rewards of working with children. Discover schools with the programs and courses you’re interested in, and start learning today. Type of program. Length. The higher salary is commensurate with their higher level of education and greater range of responsibilities. Complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. The organization promotes career advancement for pediatric nurses through many different educational resources, networking opportunities, annual conferences, webinars and the like. How can I find a pediatric nursing job? The minimum requirements be become a pediatric nurse include earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing and having the credential of registered nurse (RN). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were just over 2.9 million registered nurses working in 2017. Consider your temperament, your ability to deal with children in varying stages of illness or injury, your ability to handle stress, and more practical matters like job availability and pay rates as you determine your preferred setting. To become a licensed RN, you must complete an approved program of study (either a bachelor’s or associate degree program), and pass the NCLEX-RN. You must be patient, understanding, and ready to deal with the unexpected. As discussed in the following Part of this article, the MSN is a stepping stone to several advanced degrees and certifications in pediatric nursing, such as becoming a Certified Pediatric Nurse or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. 1. The BLS does not parse out the number of pediatric nursing professionals employed in the U.S. from the pool of RNs or nurse practitioners. Working as a pediatric nurse in a hospital typically requires a minimum educational attainment of a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. While the ASN degree offers the faster path, the BSN degree is generally considered the better path toward becoming a pediatric nurse (or any other type of specialized nurse, for that matter). She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. For tips on additional licenses and certifications you can pursue, read on! Founded in 1989, this organization promotes professional educational opportunities for pediatric nurses who care for children with gastrointestinal conditions. You can seek out advanced certifications in such fields from organizations like the PNCB. They can work in settings ranging from hospitals to physician offices to schools, and are often the first line of medical care for their young patients. Membership in these organizations promotes opportunities to develop key industry relationships, as well as build and refine nursing skills and care practices. To become a pediatric nurse, you are usually required to be an RN or APRN with either an associate or bachelor’s degree. Next, get experience working with children by volunteering in the pediatric wing of your local hospital, applying for pediatric intern programs, or working at a pediatrician's office. According to the BLS, the number of registered nurses is expected to grow 15 percent, or 438,100 new jobs, through 2026. The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) oversees the exam, and can offer valuable information on locating exam sites, fees for the exam, and procedures for registering for and taking the exam. Check the NCSBN website (, The Society of Pediatric Nurses website offers information on the field, and the organization produces the Journal of Pediatric Nursing (. PNPs possess advanced diagnostic and treatment training, and have the power to prescribe medicine in all fifty U.S. states. What’s the end goal? Apply for intern programs that offer new nurses training specifically for pediatrics. Median annual wages for nurse practitioners, meanwhile, was $103,880. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. For tips on additional licenses and certifications you can pursue, read on! This is widely considered the baseline educational attainment for registered nursing professionals. Nursing professionals are in high demand due to America’s rapidly aging population and its continued battles against diabetes and obesity. Licensed RNs who desire to work in pediatrics should apply for positions in a hospital’s pediatric or similar department. Pediatric nursing associations provide a wealth of resources for nursing professionals, including networking opportunities, national conferences, continuing education, job search strategies, interviewing tips and many forms of personal development. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The site nursingscholarships.us also provides a list of scholarships for nurses, as does the online community Nurse Journal. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were just over 2.9 million registered nurses working in 2017. The many benefits include a strong job outlook and the daily opportunity to make a positive impact on children's lives. To become certified, a prospective nurse must take the following steps: Confirm eligibility (as described). How to become a pediatric nurse 1. Tuition cost should be a primary consideration prior to making a long-term commitment to a college or university. You need to be able to provide vaccinations to crying infants, exams to tantrum-throwing eight year olds, and sound advice to know-it-all teenagers. Should I join an industry association? Now that you’ve got the basic lay of the land down, here’s what the experts think you should know about the day-to-day life of a pediatric nurse. This article has been viewed 57,919 times. These resources can give job seekers an edge, especially for highly competitive pediatric nursing positions. Ensuring adequate funding is available to complete the program prior to enrollment helps avoid any missteps or financial hardships. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together.