It takes a special person to become a pediatric nurse. Pediatrics is one of the most challenging yet rewarding specialties one can choose as a healthcare provider. A certified pediatric nurse can further specialize in different units such as clinical work, critical care, and many others.
Many nurses choose to earn pediatric certifications that are relevant to their specialty. The work required to earn these certifications gives nurses extra education, experience, and confidence as they move forward through their careers.
Almost every organization that employs pediatric nurses requires their staff to earn specialty certifications.
Related package: Pediatric Course Bundle
Minimum requirements for a certified pediatric nurse
Before specializing in any area, all future pediatric nurses must become registered nurses. To become a registered nurse, students must:
- Graduate high school or earn a GED
- Complete an accredited Associate Degree in Nursing Program
- Pass the NCLEX-RN examination
- Apply for licensure with their state
While an LPN license may be sufficient, most organizations require their staff to become registered nurses. In addition, many institutions have started to require that all nurses earn their bachelor’s degree within a few years of starting to work.
After completing general nursing courses and passing a licensing examination, nurses can choose to specialize in pediatrics. There are many different types of pediatric units to choose from.
General pediatrics
General pediatric units can care for children from birth to eighteen years of age. These units may care for children after surgeries, such as appendectomies, fighting viruses like influenza or RSV, or many other illnesses and injuries.
Nurses working in general pediatrics usually need, at minimum, their Advanced Pediatric Life Support Certification. This certification means that the nurse has been trained in CPR for infants and children, as well as how to treat children with immediate life-threatening cardiac emergencies.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) also offers a Pediatric Nursing Certification (PED-BC™). This examination provides a reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical skills and knowledge of nurses in the pediatric specialty after initial RN licensure.
NICU
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) are hospital units that specialize in the care of newborns with life-threatening problems such as extreme prematurity, congenital defects, pneumonia, heart problems, and more.
NICU nurses typically complete several months of extra training beyond what is required for RN licensure. Most NICU nurses have several years of nursing experience before moving to intensive care.
NICU nurses usually need both PALS and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certifications. In addition, NICU nurses often earn their Neonatal Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification (NCCRN). CCRN nurses must have at least 1800 clinical hours working in acute care before taking the exam and earning their certificate.
PICU
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is similar to the NICU but serves babies and older children. PICU nurses must know how to care for children of all ages and with many different types of health problems.
These nurses can care for a wide range of pediatric patients, from heart surgeries to acute respiratory distress syndrome to traumatic injuries and organ failure. They may need to manage devices such as:
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
- Ventricular Assist Devices
- Lumbar Drains
- Central Lines
PICU nurses often have their PALS, NRP, neonatal CCRN certification, and Pediatric CCRN certifications. Most nurses work in subacute care for several years before working in the PICU.
Long-term and homecare
Often, pediatric patients with chronic diseases or congenital problems require 24-hour care. Parents of these children may need the help of homecare nurses. Nurses working in pediatric home health or long-term care centers must be experts in devices like ventilators and feeding tubes. They often have to know how to care for tracheostomies, central lines, polypharmacy, wounds, and muscle contractures.
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) offers a Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) certification, which is helpful for nurses pursuing a career in pediatric home health.
Pediatric behavioral health
Unfortunately, behavioral health problems and mental health disorders have become increasingly common in children and adolescents. Nurses who are interested in pediatric behavioral health may choose to work in acute care hospitals, inpatient mental health centers, eating disorder and drug recovery centers, or other juvenile centers.
Nurses interested in caring for these patients may consider earning a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification from the ANCC.
Pediatric oncology
Pediatric oncology nurses specialize in treating infants and children battling cancer. Many of these nurses become a Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON®). Nurses with this certification must have at least 2,000 hours of experience in nursing and pass a 165-question, multiple-choice exam.
Pediatric oncology nurses are specially trained in chemotherapy administration, immunology, infection control, and radiation therapy.
