Pediatric Nurse: Caring for Infants, Children & Adolescents
Pediatric Nurses specialize in providing healthcare to patients from birth through adolescence (typically age 18-21). Unlike adult nurses, pediatric nurses must understand child development, communicate effectively with both children and parents, and administer age-appropriate care across dramatically different sizes and developmental stages.
What Pediatric Nurses Do
Pediatric nurses care for children in hospitals, clinics, schools, and specialty settings. They perform age-appropriate assessments, administer medications using weight-based dosing, provide immunizations, manage chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, and support families through childhood illnesses and injuries. A key aspect is family-centered care, recognizing that treating the child means partnering with the family.
Common Conditions Treated:
- Respiratory infections and asthma
- Injuries and accidents
- Diabetes and chronic conditions
- Congenital disorders
- Infectious diseases
- Developmental delays
- Mental health concerns in adolescents
Salary & Compensation
Average Salary: $70,000 - $95,000 annually
Entry-Level: $60,000 - $70,000
Experienced (5+ years): $75,000 - $100,000
Specialty Pediatrics (PICU, Pediatric Oncology): $80,000 - $110,000
Pediatric nurses in outpatient settings typically earn less than those in acute care hospitals. Pediatric ICU nurses and those in specialty areas like oncology or cardiology earn premium salaries.
Work Environment & Schedule
Settings:
- Pediatric hospitals and children's units
- Pediatric clinics and pediatrician offices
- Schools (school nurses)
- Pediatric specialty care (cardiology, oncology, endocrinology)
- Pediatric ICU (PICU)
Typical Schedule:
- Hospital: 12-hour shifts, rotating schedules
- Clinic/Office: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (better work-life balance)
- School: School hours, summers often off
Patient Population: Newborns to young adults (0-21 years)
Requirements & Certifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Active RN license
- BLS certification
- PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) - usually required for hospital settings
Specialty Certifications:
- CPN (Certified Pediatric Nurse) - Demonstrates pediatric competency
- CPEN (Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse) - For pediatric ER nurses
- CPon (Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse) - For pediatric oncology
Additional Training: Many employers provide pediatric-specific orientation covering growth and development, family-centered care, and pediatric pharmacology.
Skills Required
Clinical Skills:
- Pediatric assessment across age groups
- Weight-based medication dosing calculations
- IV insertion in small veins
- Age-appropriate vital sign interpretation
- Family teaching and education
Soft Skills:
- Patience and gentle demeanor
- Ability to communicate with children at their level
- Strong parent/family communication
- Creativity in engaging reluctant patients
- Emotional resilience (sick children can be heartbreaking)
Child Development Knowledge: Understanding milestones, behaviors, and age-appropriate expectations is critical
Career Path
RN → Pediatric Floor Nurse
Pediatric Nurse → Pediatric ICU (PICU)
Pediatric Nurse → Pediatric Specialty (oncology, cardiology, endocrinology)
Pediatric Nurse → School Nurse
Pediatric Nurse → Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
Pediatric Nurse → Child Life Specialist (developmental focus)
Many pediat ric nurses pursue advanced practice roles like Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) to provide primary care or specialty care to children.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
✓ Rewarding to help children heal
✓ Children often resilient and bounce back quickly
✓ Family-centered care is collaborative
✓ Diverse settings available (hospital, clinic, school)
✓ Clinic/office jobs offer great work-life balance
✓ Less end-of-life care than adult nursing
Cons:
✗ Emotionally difficult when children are seriously ill
✗ Parents can be demanding or difficult
✗ Lower pay than some adult specialties
✗ Needle sticks and procedures can be challenging with scared children
✗ Exposure to childhood diseases
✗ Heartbreaking cases (abuse, neglect, terminal illness)
Getting Started
- Earn RN License: BSN or ADN, pass NCLEX-RN
- Gain Pediatric Experience: Many hospitals hire new grads into pediatric units
- Get PALS Certified: Required for most pediatric hospital positions
- Consider Setting: Hospital vs. clinic vs. school - each offers different experiences
- Volunteer with Children: Demonstrates genuine interest in pediatrics
- Pursue CPN Certification: After gaining experience
Pediatric nursing is ideal for nurses who love working with children, enjoy family collaboration, and find fulfillment in helping children grow, heal, and thrive.