why did you become a pediatric nurse

Why Become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: Five Compelling Reasons

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What qualifications do you need to become a pediatric nurse?

• Important Information About This Career
• Earning a Nursing Degree. You can earn a diploma, associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing. ...
• Optional Certification. Registered nurses interested in working in pediatric nursing can become certified as a pediatric nurse through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a pediatric nurse?

Pediatric Nurse Job Description. As a pediatric nurse, your main duties will include providing critical and preventive care to infants, children, and adolescents. The pediatric specialization is available at any occupational level of nursing, from licensed practical nurse (LPN) to advanced practice nurse. Important Facts About This Occupation

Why I choose to be a pediatric nurse?

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: 8 Reasons to Consider this Career

1. Obviously…. The Kids! ...
2. You’ll Be a Master. If higher education is your goal, then the NP route is for you! ...
3. Money, Money, Money. Naturally, with a higher level of education and specialization comes a higher pay. ...
4. It Keeps You on Your Toes. ...
5. You Could Be Your Own Boss. ...
6. The Benefits Are Great. ...
7. There’s a Great Demand. ...
8. Job Security? ...

What are the educational requirements for a pediatric nurse?

Pediatric Nursing Courses

1. Primary Care Well-Child Course. This course considers pediatric health in a primary care setting. ...
2. Family Health in Pediatric Care Course. Family health, habits and behavior have a direct or indirect effect on the child’s physical and mental health.
3. Pediatric Illness and Conditions Course. ...
4. Pediatric Mental Health Course. ...

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Why did you choose to become a pediatric nurse?

"I want to be a pediatric nurse because it combines my love for children and medicine into one important role. As a health care professional, I've seen firsthand how being a patient in the hospital can be scary and nerve-wracking, even for patients who are adults.

How do you answer why do you want to work in pediatrics?

Answer this question by explaining what inspired you to become a pediatrician, and focus on what makes this career meaningful for you. Example: "I've always wanted a career working with children, and I've had a passion for health care ever since I was young.

Why do you want to go into pediatrics?

Pediatricians specialize in treating children, so they often work closely with families. This allows them to build relationships with families and see children grow up over the years. Sharing their expertise may also help the families resolve concerns they have about their children or ensure the children are healthy.

What is special about pediatric nursing?

Pediatric nurses are registered nurses who specialize in caring for patients from birth through adolescence. They must have a deep knowledge of child growth and development as diseases and conditions in children often present and are treated differently than in adults.

Why would you want to work at a children's hospital?

You get to spend your days making a real difference in peoples' lives. You are there for kids and their parents during some of the most difficult times of their lives, and you could be instrumental in helping ensure that a seriously ill or injured child has the opportunity of having a future.

Why do you like working with children?

Working with children reminds you of how amazing and exciting the world can be. You'll love seeing things from their eyes. It makes you a happier and more positive person in your day-to-day life. Children also encourage you to use your imagination and find new creative ways to do things!

How do you prepare for a pediatric nurse interview?

Extra Interview Tips for Pediatric Nurses Dress professionally for your interview; business to business-casual is fine. A suit isn't necessary, but it wouldn't be inappropriate. If you wear makeup or jewelry, be sure it's professional-looking and subtle. If you have any tattoos, consider covering them, if possible.

What skills do you need to be a pediatric nurse?

The following are examples of some of the most important skills a pediatric nurse can have:Relationship building. Pediatric nurses often begin working with a child when they are an infant or a toddler. ... Basic nursing. ... Technological skills. ... Empathy. ... Attention to detail. ... Communication. ... Confidentiality and ethics. ... Time management.More items...

What qualities do you need to be a pediatrician?

Pediatricians should be observant, intelligent, persistent, level-headed, open-minded and resourceful when diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses. An observant pediatrician can notice subtle changes in a patient's condition and act accordingly.

What is the best part of being a pediatric nurse?

What Do Nurses Find Most Rewarding About Pediatric Nursing?Providing care for the entire family. ... Finding inspiration in a child's positive attitude. ... Helping to relieve a child's stress and anxiety in a medical setting. ... Supporting children through every age and developmental stage.

What is your own understanding of pediatric nursing?

Pediatric nursing focuses on pediatrics and the medical care of children from infancy to the teenage years. Being a pediatric nurse may consist of working with children who range from newborn babies to those in their teen years. It is a specialization of the nursing profession and a very hectic job.

What it means to be a pediatric nurse?

Pediatric nursing is a specialization of the nursing profession that focuses on pediatrics and the medical care of children, from infancy to the teenage years. This is an important field because the health of children is distinct from that of adults due to the growth and development that occurs throughout childhood.

Why are you interested in this position?

Example: "I'm interested in this job because I can see that, in this role, my skills could help solve this problem within your company. I also see an opportunity for me to learn and grow these skills, so we both would benefit personally, professionally, and financially.

Why do you want to work for this company?

Express your personal passion for the employer's product/service/mission. Employers want to know you're passionate about what they do, whether it takes the shape of a product, a service, a mission, or a brand. You can also connect your passion to the company's core values, which can often be found on their website.

What qualities skills do you have that you think would be beneficial when working with kids?

Skills required to work with childrenCommunication. Being able to communicate with a child is essential for understanding their wants and needs. ... Behavioral management. Children like to test the boundaries, regardless of their age, mental or developmental stage. ... Patience. ... Creativity. ... Enthusiasm. ... Dedication.

Why are you asking to work in an educational setting?

Being Inspired. Watching children learn about unfamiliar topics and master new skills can reignite your own desire to learn. Student growth can remind you of how important education is and how amazing the human brain can be. By working in a school, you also have the opportunity to be an inspiration to young people.

Why do you want to be a pediatric nurse?

If you feel comfortable working with children and enjoy their company, choosing to be a pediatric nurse gives you a daily dose. Medical facilities can be frightening for kids, so a pediatric nurse has the responsibility of communicating with their young patients and making them feel comfortable. This means you get to capitalize on your inner child to let your patients know they aren't alone and use your imagination to make routine medical procedures more fun and engaging.

Why is pediatric nursing important?

The pediatric nurse has the opportunity to teach good health decisions before bad habits are established , making them influential over the health of future generations.

How much does a pediatric nurse make?

The average national salary for a pediatric nurse is $59,233 annually and rises steadily as experience increases. For pediatric nurse practitioners, the average national annual salary jumps up to $87,232, but the increase in pay over time is more gradual. In either case, you're likely to find a position that pays a livable wage.

How much will the nursing industry grow in 2026?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the employment of registered nurses to grow 15 percent between 2016 and 2026. For nurse practitioners, that number jumps to 36 percent. As the population increases, the need for pediatric nurses will continue to grow, ensuring the availability of open positions.

What is the first quality of a pediatric nurse?

For those who decide to take the plunge and become a pediatric nurse, the first quality they possess must be a love of children — all children.

What is a playful nurse?

The playful nurse will be well-loved and a favorite among children. She will be the one that they want to play games with while they are recovering and the one who reads books to them with enthusiasm and animation in her voice.

Do pediatric nurses make you laugh?

Being around healthy children will definitely make you laugh and enjoy the fun aspects of life. However, sick children may sometimes be disheartening. Children should not have to be in the hospital or hooked up to machinery; they should be romping outdoors in the sun. It does not always work that way in life, and a pediatric nurse must have fortitude. Without this, a pediatric nurse will not only bring herself down, but the child that she is caring for, as well. Children need encouragement and strength from those around them at all times.

Why do you want to be a pediatric nurse?

The ability to distract a child is perhaps as important as earning their trust, especially when you are administering immunizations or inserting IV lines. Often pediatric patients don't understand why they are undergoing certain treatments , and having good rapport can help make unpleasant experiences a little easier for child patients.

What do practicing pediatric nurses do?

Pediatric advanced practice nurses serve as pediatric healthcare providers in primary or acute care settings for well and ill children from birth to 21 years of age. Examples of primary care sites include physician offices, school health, ambulatory, or outpatient clinics, surgical centers, and health departments. The acute care environment encompasses the pediatric inpatient, intensive care, and intermediate care units, the pediatric emergency room, same day surgery center, and pediatric rehabilitation facility.

How long does it take to get a masters in nursing?

Masters in nursing (MSN) programs usually are two years in length for full time study or longer for part time study. After completion of the master’s degree, PNPs and CNSs apply to the state board of nursing for recognition as an advanced practice nurse and take their respective national exam for certification.

What is the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board?

There are two organizations, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, and American Nurses Credentialing Center, that support certification programs. Each one has an initial exam and subsequent requirements for continued certification. Maintaining certification is based on demonstration of continued knowledge acquisition.

Why is it important to have good rapport with pediatric patients?

Often pediatric patients don't understand why they are undergoing certain treatments, and having good rapport can help make unpleasant experiences a little easier for child patients. Pediatric nurses also spend much of their time with concerned adults, the parents and relatives of young patients.

Is it worse to see a sick child?

There’s nothing worse than seeing a sick infant or child.

Is pediatrics a noteworthy choice?

Unique challenges in pediatrics make it a noteworthy choice for many nurses.

What is the job satisfaction of a pediatric nurse practitioner?

A pediatric nurse practitioner has expertise and experience in all areas of pediatric healthcare, including well child care, prevention and management of common illnesses that impact children and managing chronic conditions. With a goal of providing the best medical services possible for children, a PNP serves a critical and highly rewarding role in the healthcare system.

How many credits are there in nursing?

Students can finish their degree in about two years. There are 14 courses for a total of 36 credit hours. The program combines online learning with hands-on clinical experience. The competency-based educational format meets both the requirements of employers as well as those from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Is there a shortage of nurses in Texas?

Nursing as whole faces a shortage of qualified workers in Texas and around the country. This extends also to nurse practitioners. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 31 percent increase in nurse practitioners by 2026.

Can nurses get a masters degree online?

Online degree programs have made it more convenient for nurses to bolster their career with a master’s degree. With the ability to attend class from anywhere they have an internet connection, students can now fit school work around busy professional and personal lives.

Is becoming a nurse practitioner a good career choice?

For nurses who wish to move into some of the most in-demand positions in their profession, becoming a nurse practitioner can prove to be a smart career choice.

What does a pediatric nurse do?

Pediatric nurses are registered nurses who specialize in caring for patients from birth through adolescence. They must have a deep knowledge of child growth and development as diseases and conditions in children often present and are treated differently than in adults.

Where do pediatric nurses work?

Pediatric nurses have many workplace options depending on what subset of care they are interested in. According to 2017 data from the Institute of Pediatric Nursing, the three most common workplaces for certified pediatric nurses include: 2

What are some pediatric nursing specialties?

Let’s take a closer look at two of the more common types of pediatric nurses: pediatric oncology and pediatric intensive care unit nursing.

What is the difference between a PICU and a pediatric unit?

While that might sound like it could be “easier,” remember that treatments are less uniform in a pediatric unit as patients are at varying stages of development —medications and treatment plans need to be tailored for the patients’ stage in development.

Why do pediatric nurses play games?

Because their patients are so much younger, pediatric nurses often form strong relational-ties with them in different ways than they would with adult patients—by playing games with them, being goofy, or holding their hand during tough procedures.

What are the duties of a pediatric oncology nurse?

Duties unique to pediatric oncology nurses may include: 1 Complete assessments on children prior to having chemotherapy administered to make sure they are healthy enough to tolerate the treatment 2 Administer chemotherapy as ordered by the doctor 3 Monitor children being treated with chemotherapy for signs of any life-threatening side effects 4 Educate families about their child’s condition, treatments and how they can manage side effects at home

What is the job of an intensive care nurse?

Many of the core duties remain the same—monitoring and assessing patient statuses, administering medications or treatments and working quickly to help stabilize a patient’s condition if they take a turn for the worse.

Try to give them a clear and specific reason

Most interviewees will simply say that they love children, or want to help children. Why it isn’t a bad answer, it is something that’s obvious for the admission committee members at schools, and for the hiring managers at hospitals. Nobody would want to work as a pediatrician if they did not like children.

Do not forget on non-verbal communication

When people speak about their dreams and their future, it is impossible to verify the authenticity of their claims….