FAQs for Pediatric Nursing

Pediatric nurses are fundamental assistants to pediatric doctors. Pediatric nursing requires an expertise in handling children, especially sick ones. They must be trained with the knowledge in medical tools appropriate to each age range and size, as well as take into consideration cognitive stages.

Significance

• Pediatric nursing involves a special set of skills in communicating with a child on their developmental level to diagnose an illness.

Function

• Pediatric nurses perform the first evaluation on a child, taking notes on vital signs, height and weight. If needed, a nurse may then start an IV, take a urine sample, interpret lab results or give medication per doctor's orders.

Time Frame

• Becoming a pediatric nurse involves first graduating with either a two-year associate's degree or four-year bachelor's in a science or nursing program. It is required to become a registered nurse before training begins for pediatric nursing.

Types

• Types and duties of pediatric nurses vary depending on their primary work station. Examples include the emergency room, neonatal unit, cancer and hospice care, children's hospitals and pediatricians' offices.

Considerations

• No matter where a pediatric nurse is working, confidentiality is especially sensitive in cases with ill children, explanation of procedures and treatments become extremely important, and a nurse may be required to become a patient's advocate for those who cannot speak up for themselves.