When it comes to annual earnings, pediatric nurses can earn an average salary of around $52,000 to $88,850. However, some major factors that contribute towards their actual compensation for the services they offer are their experience in the field, level of qualification, the geographical location where they are situated, and finally the type of facility they choose to work at.
Nevertheless, more experienced nurses in the field can easily earn more than $100,000 in a year. This is only the lower threshold of earnings that we are talking about, as yearly income can be significantly higher for more revered and respected nurses in the industry. One reason for this is that the demand for more pediatric nurses within the nation is comparatively high in relation to supply. According to figures provided by the Institute of Pediatric Nursing, there are only 22 pediatric nurses for every 100,000 children in the U.S. This despite the fact that there are several great pediatric nurse practitioner programs out there, providing young professionals the opportunity to study at their own pace and equip themselves with the qualifications needed to kickstart their career in this field.
While all of these factors point towards the fact that a career in pediatric studies can be extremely promising for any young and inspiring person, it does not mean that such a profession is basically for anyone to take up. So before you decide to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, it is important to know what this career is all about and whether you have what it takes to make a career out of it.
In order to help you out, we have compiled a list of what it takes to be a successful pediatric nurse practitioner. So without further ado, let’s take a quick look at some of the characteristics which ensure that you are passionate enough to become a pediatric nurse.
It Requires Dedicated Commitment & Effort
When it comes to becoming a pediatric nurse, the road ahead can be long and tiring. Some are guided by their unwavering will and put their heart and soul into this profession, and these are the ones who succeed; those who lack dedication and commitment are likely to find it frustrating.
Pediatric nurse practitioners most commonly require a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) from a medical college. Once that is done, you will need to obtain your nursing license. This is necessary to practice as a nurse in your given state and also a requirement for most Master’s degree programs. You will then have to work towards getting a Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN) with a specialization in pediatrics. This can take up to 1-2 years, depending on the program you choose.
Hence if you do the math correctly, studying pediatrics is by far anything but easy. It requires you to be diligent throughout your tenure in a medical school because any discrepancies in your studies will only make your life harder. However, once you have the necessary qualifications, the rewards are definitely there for you to reap. Pediatric nurses make a very decent living as previously mentioned and are also highly respected by their colleagues in the healthcare industry.
Some Essential Qualities That Guarantee Success
Like any other profession, being a pediatric nurse requires some skills and qualities as a prerequisite if the individual working in the field to be termed as successful in the long run. These include:
High Sense of Precision
The ability to pay attention to detail involves identifying and pointing out the smallest of facts and information that can hold within themselves a lot of importance. Dealing with delicate situations is what pediatricians do, hence they are required to have a high sense of precision when treating a patient. This doesn’t only help them diagnose ailments from certain symptoms but also prescribe medicine that is suitable for the patient; otherwise, we all know how dangerous it can it be to make even the slightest errors when administering medicine to a child.
Calming Demeanor
A pediatric nurse is required to stay calm in situations that can make any other person panic. This ability of theirs helps them make quick decisions and perform their duties effectively, without making any mistakes that arise while working in a high-pressure situation.
Their ability to take control of their nerves empowers them to handle difficult situations in a logical manner. They are quick to address the problem without panicking and this ability to keep everything under control calms the patient and their family as well.
Endurance
If you think that dealing with people who visit hospitals to get a routine checkup or professional advice is like a walk in the park then think again. Being a pediatric nurse will put you into a lot of challenging situations that can easily cause a nervous breakdown for those who are not qualified. Some of these are common challenges for all nurses, such as working for long hours when the need arises, while others are specific to being a pediatric nurse. Oncology is an area that requires nurses to work with children with cancer and as part of their job, they come across child deaths on a regular basis – one needs a significant amount of strength and courage to deal with such situations.
When facing unimaginable odds, you would find that an experienced healthcare professional can never back down and they have to show perseverance. This is what endurance is and it is going to be expected of you in the field.
Dealing with difficult patients
Every parent stresses out when their child is ill. And it is pediatric nurses who have to deal with these stressed parents and explain to them the medical condition of the child and keep them updated on the treatment. If the child requires intensive care, the parents can have significantly high levels of stress and anxiety, making it so much more difficult to deal with them. In such cases, it is pediatric nurses who have to calm them down and reduce their stress by communicating with them effectively.
Staying Positive
Being a pediatric nurse, you will come across plenty of situations that will make you depressed and want to give up, however, you always need to maintain your positivity. As a healthcare professional, you must never forget that you are the patient’s single ray of hope that can never dwindle or diminish even for a second.
Conclusion
To sum up, these are some of the major qualities and skills are required for you to become a pediatric nurse. This profession is definitely not an easy one and you are likely to face many challenges on the way but as the saying goes where there is a will, there is away. If you have the passion, commitment and determination to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, you are sure to succeed.
