Pediatric nurses specialize in providing care for patients from birth through adolescent age. For those interested in healthcare who want to work with babies, children and teens, a career in pediatric nursing presents these opportunities. Use this guide to learn how to become a pediatric nurse.

Pediatric nurses may be registered nurses (RNs) or pediatric nurse practitioners (NPs) who specialize in caring for patients younger than adult age. In addition to providing direct patient care, they help families cope with patient diagnoses and educate patients and families on healthcare issues like preventive care.

Pediatric nursing responsibilities for RNs include:

• Administering patient treatments and medicine.
• Collaborating with NPs and doctors on patient care.
• Counseling families on treatment plans.
• Diagnosing patient conditions.
• Monitoring and operating medical equipment.
• Observing patients and recording observations.
• Performing diagnostic tests.

NPs, sometimes referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), are more advanced registered nurses who have at least a master’s degree in nursing and may provide primary healthcare. Possible duties of an NP include:

Where do pediatric nurses work? Wherever babies, children and teens receive medical care, an RN or NP specializing in pediatrics may be present. These environments include:

Pediatric nurses may provide care for everything from routine checkups to emergency medical trauma. If you want to treat young patients, there are diverse career paths you may take as a pediatric nurse.

For aspiring nurses who want to work in pediatrics, educational requirements range from a postsecondary nondegree award to a master’s in nursing degree (MSN) or higher. For pediatric nurses who want more responsibilities with direct patient care, an MSN degree provides advanced opportunities. The following are educational requirements to expect at various pediatric nurse levels:

Some experienced RNs with pediatric experience become certified pediatric nurses (CPN). This credential designates nursing specialty and represents pediatric clinical experience or RN pediatric nursing experience.

There are also nurses who move into pediatric nursing leadership roles, such as chief nursing officer or nurse administrator. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares pediatric nurses to advance their careers.

The time it takes to become a pediatric nurse depends on the pediatric nursing title you’re interested in. Also, a full-time program will take less time to complete than a part-time program. The following are typical pediatric nursing education timelines:

Remember that while part-time programs offer flexibility and enable students to continue working while attending school, they typically take longer to complete than full-time pediatric nursing programs.

Pediatric nurses work wherever there are newborn to adolescent patients. Pediatric nurses may choose to pursue work in a variety of environments, including:

Some pediatric nurses choose to work as travel nurses. Instead of being employed long-term with a single employer, these nurses fill short-term roles at healthcare facilities that need pediatric nurses due to nursing shortages. Traveling pediatric nurses find roles through employment agencies and may work in children’s hospitals, outpatient clinics or trauma centers.

What is the salary of a pediatric registered nurse? As with most careers, earning potential increases as education advances. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the typical median weekly earnings in 2019 based on educational attainment were:

• Doctoral degree: $1,883
• Master’s degree: $1,497
• Bachelor’s degree: $1,248
• Associate degree: $887
• Some college, no degree: $833

The BLS reports the following 2019 median pay for nurses.

• Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $47,480 per year, $22.83 per hour
• Registered nurses: $73,300 per year, $35.24 per hour
• Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners: $115,800 per year, $55.67 per hour

Nursing salary by state will vary, due to factors like nursing demand and cost of living.

Are pediatric nurses in high demand? The BLS reports nursing positions, including pediatric nurse jobs, are increasing throughout the country and are outpacing other industries.

As you can see, the demand for APRN careers is expected to be very strong in the next decade. An MSN may help you become certified to obtain an advanced pediatric nursing role like PNP and pursue in-demand careers in pediatrics.

You may still be wondering, “Is pediatric nursing worth it?” As you ponder your future, consider:

Pediatric nurses play vital roles in the lives of babies, children, teens and their families. If you want to work in healthcare and are drawn to this type of population, a career as a pediatric nurse could be fulfilling. This in-demand field provides growth opportunities and diverse career paths, which may appeal to you.

Think about your overall career goals and the licensure you’ll need as you choose which nursing degree you want to pursue. With several types of nursing degrees to choose from, you can select a nursing school program that aligns with your goals.

Last Updated January 2021