Pediatric Nurse
Job Description
A pediatric nurse is one who uses his or her knowledge and skills to take care of sick and injured children. From infancy through the late teen years, pediatric nurses care for the children patients and their families.
Most pediatric nurses complete advanced training specifically in pediatrics. They work closely in collaboration with physicians and other health care professionals to provide the best of care to their patients.
Responsibilities
Pediatric nurses can perform all of the functions that other nurses do: physical examinations, measuring of vital signs, obtaining blood and urine samples and facilitating other diagnostic tests.
Nurses with further advanced training may interpret the results of diagnostic tests to identify diagnoses and develop treatment plans.
Because of the special and specific health care needs of pediatric patients, many parents often prefer that their children be treated by nurses and other health professionals who are specialized in pediatrics.
Children’s bodies are constantly growing and changing, and they react in different ways to injury, to illness and even to common medications.
Since they are infants and children, they get scared easily and cannot always communicate clearly what is wrong or “where it hurts.”
Pediatric nurses are trained in how to talk to children to alleviate their fears and put them at ease. They are proficient in how to ask children questions about their health situation.
This allows a more accurate gathering of complete information to aid in the diagnosis and treatment that is best for the child.
In addition to caring for their patients, pediatric nurses spend a great deal of time educating parents and caregivers about the best way to care for their children and to protect and promote their child’s health.
In the case of children with chronic conditions, such as paralysis or juvenile diabetes, pediatric nurses can design home care plans that will help the family meet the needs of their child’s condition.
Promotion of wellness and health education is a big part of the pediatric nursing field. “Ped” nurses frequently staff community health fairs and visit schools to perform wellness physical exams, to assist with immunizing children and to provide routine developmental health screenings when indicated.
The opportunity to play a vital role in a child’s life, when that child needs help the most, makes pediatric nursing a very special vocation.
Skills
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Communication |
A pediatric nurse must not only convey information effectively, they must be able to interact and communicate with children which takes a certain finesse. They must be able to gather information from patients that might not know how to describe their feelings or symptoms. |
|
Organization |
Pediatric nurses have many administrative duties, so they must be organized and maintain to-date records of their patients and keep track of busy schedules. They also need to stay organized to manage their team of nurse assistants. |
|
Assessing |
Must be able to determine illness and injury by different methods of exams and inspections since many times their patients are unable to describe their aliments. |
|
Compassion |
They must be compassionate and caring since they work with small children and infant, who are susceptible to emotion and easy to effect either positively or negatively. |
|
Emotional Stability |
Must be able to cope with the strong realities and emotions that can come with the job. Seeing little children with aliments and injuries can be tough, so you must be too. |
|
Patience |
Must be able to keep calm and cool in stressful situations and be able to handle kids and parents that are going through a tough time. |
Working Conditions
The skills of a pediatric nurse bring special comfort to children and their parents. When a child is sick or injured and being treated, it is a stressful time for everyone in the family.
Pediatric nurses may work with their young charges in the following places of employment:
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Doctors’ offices
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Public and private care clinics
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Hospitals
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Inpatient and outpatient surgical centers
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Acute care facilities
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Neonatal units
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Pediatric critical care units
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Pediatric oncology units
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Pediatric burn units
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Pediatric rehabilitation centers
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Public and private schools
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Public health departments
Most pediatric nurses work closely with a physician who is also a specialist in pediatric or family medicine.
The duties of a pediatric nurse are similar to the nursing duties in other departments, although the pediatric nurse may have more direct interaction with the patient’s family.
Salary Outlook
| Estimated Annual Salary | Average Hourly Wage | Positions Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| $66,640.00 | $32.04 | 311,320 |
| Title | Company | Location | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRN - Pediatric SANE Nurse | University Hospitals | Cleveland, OH | 08.10.2019 |
| Description Position Summary/Essential Duties: The Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner provides timely, non-judgmental, compassionate care to the pediatric sexual assault victim. 1. Provides forensic exam and evidence collection... | |||
| Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Pediatric Surgical Unit | OU Medicine | Oklahoma City, OK | 08.23.2019 |
| Position Title: Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Pediatric Surgical Unit Department: Pediatric Surgical Unit Job Description: Shift: Full Time - Days General Description: Under direction of a physician, provides primary care... | |||
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Pediatrics Practice | MaineHealth | Norway, ME | 08.23.2019 |
| Western Maine Health has an amazing opportunity for a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) at Western Maine Pediatrics and our School Based Health Centers. The PNP will work along with providers and the MSAD#17 school nurses to provide health care... | |||
| CLINICAL NURSE II - PEDIATRIC ICU | Duke Health | Durham, NC | 08.15.2019 |
| Duke University Hospital is consistently rated as one of the best in the United States and is known around the world for its outstanding care and groundbreaking research. Duke University Hospital has 957 inpatient beds and offers comprehensive... | |||
| CLINICAL NURSE I - PEDIATRIC ICU | Duke Health | Durham, NC | 08.14.2019 |
| Duke University Hospital is consistently rated as one of the best in the United States and is known around the world for its outstanding care and groundbreaking research. Duke University Hospital has 957 inpatient beds and offers comprehensive... | |||
| Pediatric Hospitalist | Mayo Clinic's Campus in Minnesota | Mankato, MN | 07.26.2019 |
| Overview of Role: Our Inpatient Pediatric Care Team has an opening for a Pediatric Hospitalist. Responsibilities include attending high-risk deliveries, management of babies in the Level II Nursery, care of healthy newborns and pediatric... | |||
| RN - Registered Nurse - Pediatric Emergency | OU Medicine | Oklahoma City, OK | 08.23.2019 |
| Position Title: RN - Registered Nurse - Pediatric Emergency Department: Emergency Services - TCH Job Description: RN - Registered Nurse - Emergency Department Shift: Full-Time The Children's Hospital - Oklahoma City, OK General... | |||
| Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) | Singing River Health System | Pascagoula, MS | 08.23.2019 |
| The Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice Registered Nurse who works independently or in collaboration with physicians to deliver health care services that meet the specialized physiologic and psychological needs of... | |||
| Registered Nurse (RN) - ICU - Pediatric ICU - MB3G | Mayo Clinic's Campus in Minnesota | Rochester, MN | 08.06.2019 |
| This position is open to experienced nurses and new grad nurses. Location: Mary Brigh 3G (MB3G), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Patient Care Type: A pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) that specializes in the care of critically ill pediatric... | |||
| Registered Nurse (RN) - ICU - Pediatric ICU - MB3G | Mayo Clinic's Campus in Minnesota | Rochester, MN | 06.11.2019 |
| This position is open to experienced nurses and new grad nurses. Location: Mary Brigh 3G (MB3G), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Patient Care Type: A pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) that specializes in the care of critically ill pediatric... | |||
| Staff Nurse - Pediatric ICU | New Hanover Regional Medical Center | Wilmington, NC | 08.23.2019 |
| The Professional Registered Nurse/RN works under the direction of the Director, Manager or Designated Leader. The RN functions under that ANA Standards of Performance and adheres to the guidelines of the NCBON. The RN has responsibility and... | |||
| Staff Nurse - Pediatric ICU | New Hanover Regional Medical Center | Wilmington, NC | 08.23.2019 |
| The Professional Registered Nurse/RN works under the direction of the Director, Manager or Designated Leader. The RN functions under that ANA Standards of Performance and adheres to the guidelines of the NCBON. The RN has responsibility and... | |||
| Pediatric Hospitalist Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner | FirstHealth of the Carolinas | Pinehurst, NC | 08.23.2019 |
| Experienced pediatric Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner needed to provide inpatient coverage one to two nights per week. PA must be a graduate of an AMA approved Physician Assistant program and possess NCCPA certification.NP must be a... | |||
| Registered Nurse - Pediatric Intensive Care Unit | Halifax Health | Daytona Beach, FL | 08.21.2019 |
| Halifax Health is seeking a Registered Nurse for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Summary The Registered Nurse will be responsible for the delivery of care utilizing the nursing process of assessing, collecting and documenting data in... | |||
| Anesthesiology - Anesthesiologist - Pediatric | DocCafe | Brandon, FL | 08.22.2019 |
| Anesthesiology opening in Brandon, Florida. This and other physician jobs brought to you by DocCafe.com Highlights of this opportunity: • Team consists of 14 Physicians and 25 CRNAs • Pediatric cases are NICU and older; 30%... | |||
-
PRN - Pediatric SANE Nurse
Shaker Heights, OH
University Hospitals
Description Position Summary/Essential Duties: The Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner provides timely, non-judgmental, compassionate care to the pediatric sexual assault victim. 1. Provides forensic exam and evidence collection...
-
Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Pediatric Surgical Unit
Oklahoma City, OK
OU Medicine
Position Title: Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Pediatric Surgical Unit Department: Pediatric Surgical Unit Job Description: Shift: Full Time - Days General Description: Under direction of a physician, provides primary care...
-
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Pediatrics Practice
Portland, ME
MaineHealth
Western Maine Health has an amazing opportunity for a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) at Western Maine Pediatrics and our School Based Health Centers. The PNP will work along with providers and the MSAD#17 school nurses to provide health care...
-
CLINICAL NURSE II - PEDIATRIC ICU
Durham, NC
Duke Health
Duke University Hospital is consistently rated as one of the best in the United States and is known around the world for its outstanding care and groundbreaking research. Duke University Hospital has 957 inpatient beds and offers comprehensive...
-
CLINICAL NURSE I - PEDIATRIC ICU
Durham, NC
Duke Health
Duke University Hospital is consistently rated as one of the best in the United States and is known around the world for its outstanding care and groundbreaking research. Duke University Hospital has 957 inpatient beds and offers comprehensive...
-
Pediatric Hospitalist
Rochester, MN
Mayo Clinic's Campus in Minnesota
Overview of Role: Our Inpatient Pediatric Care Team has an opening for a Pediatric Hospitalist. Responsibilities include attending high-risk deliveries, management of babies in the Level II Nursery, care of healthy newborns and pediatric...
-
RN - Registered Nurse - Pediatric Emergency
Oklahoma City, OK
OU Medicine
Position Title: RN - Registered Nurse - Pediatric Emergency Department: Emergency Services - TCH Job Description: RN - Registered Nurse - Emergency Department Shift: Full-Time The Children's Hospital - Oklahoma City, OK General...
-
Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
Pascagoula, MS
Singing River Health System
The Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice Registered Nurse who works independently or in collaboration with physicians to deliver health care services that meet the specialized physiologic and psychological needs of...
-
Registered Nurse (RN) - ICU - Pediatric ICU - MB3G
Rochester, MN
Mayo Clinic's Campus in Minnesota
This position is open to experienced nurses and new grad nurses. Location: Mary Brigh 3G (MB3G), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Patient Care Type: A pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) that specializes in the care of critically ill pediatric...
-
Registered Nurse (RN) - ICU - Pediatric ICU - MB3G
Rochester, MN
Mayo Clinic's Campus in Minnesota
This position is open to experienced nurses and new grad nurses. Location: Mary Brigh 3G (MB3G), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Patient Care Type: A pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) that specializes in the care of critically ill pediatric...
-
Staff Nurse - Pediatric ICU
Wilmington, NC
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
The Professional Registered Nurse/RN works under the direction of the Director, Manager or Designated Leader. The RN functions under that ANA Standards of Performance and adheres to the guidelines of the NCBON. The RN has responsibility and...
-
Staff Nurse - Pediatric ICU
Wilmington, NC
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
The Professional Registered Nurse/RN works under the direction of the Director, Manager or Designated Leader. The RN functions under that ANA Standards of Performance and adheres to the guidelines of the NCBON. The RN has responsibility and...
-
Pediatric Hospitalist Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner
Pinehurst, NC
FirstHealth of the Carolinas
Experienced pediatric Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner needed to provide inpatient coverage one to two nights per week. PA must be a graduate of an AMA approved Physician Assistant program and possess NCCPA certification.NP must be a...
-
Registered Nurse - Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Daytona Beach, FL
Halifax Health
Halifax Health is seeking a Registered Nurse for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Summary The Registered Nurse will be responsible for the delivery of care utilizing the nursing process of assessing, collecting and documenting data in...
-
Anesthesiology - Anesthesiologist - Pediatric
Ringle, WI
DocCafe
Anesthesiology opening in Brandon, Florida. This and other physician jobs brought to you by DocCafe.com Highlights of this opportunity: • Team consists of 14 Physicians and 25 CRNAs • Pediatric cases are NICU and older; 30%...