Steps to Become a Pediatric Nurse

Pediatric nursing can provide you with an opportunity to work with children and make a difference in their lives. The process of becoming a pediatric nurse involves a great deal of classroom education as well as learning on the job. Once you become qualified, you can work in a highly specialized field of medicine and enjoy a rewarding job.

Formal Education

• Before you can become a pediatric nurse, you will need to complete the necessary educational requirements. You will first have to start out by graduating from high school or getting a GED. At that point, you need to get into a nursing program to become a registered nurse. You could go to a two-year community college program or you could get a four-year bachelor of science degree from a university. This will teach you the basics of nursing and how to be successful in this field.

Licensing

• Once you graduate from school, you will have to pass a licensing exam before you can start practicing as a nurse. This is known as the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and it is administered on a state level. You can apply to take this test and pay a fee. You have to pass the test to become licensed, and you can take it multiple times if you do not pass it the first time.

Internship

• After you become a registered nurse, you can then get involved with an internship to become a pediatric nurse. A pediatric nurse has to have a certain amount of on-the-job experience before you can be considered for a position. Many hospitals offer an internship program for nurses who are interested in this field. It may only take a few months to get the knowledge that you need to work as a pediatric nurse.

Pediatric Certification

• After completing your internship, you will then need to become certified as a pediatric nurse. You will have to register and pay for an exam to become certified. The exam will cover basic nursing information as well as information that is specific to working in a pediatric facility. Once you pass the exam, you will be qualified to work as a pediatric nurse.

Finding a Job

• Once you are certified as a pediatric nurse, you should have no trouble finding a job. There are typically many openings for nurses of every kind and pediatric nurses are in high demand. You can look online for job openings or visit a medical facility to apply directly. Many hospitals have needs for pediatric nurses, as do doctors' offices and other medical facilities. With many job openings, you should be able to find a job that suits your needs.