Travel Nursing: Pediatric

Pediatric nursing allows you to care for some of the youngest patients and help children feel at ease at a doctor’s office or hospital.

Though treating kids with severe disabilities and health issues can be challenging, the career is also rewarding and allows you to make a difference in both parents’ and children’s lives. Learn more about becoming a pediatric travel nurse below.

Requirements

Like NICU nurses, pediatric nurses treat infants but also see toddlers, tweens and even patients in their late teens. They must be friendly and comfortable talking to children of all ages and adept at asking questions they can understand about their health.

Patience is an important trait when working as a pediatric nurse, especially when treating kids with serious illnesses or seeing toddlers and preschoolers for checkups.

Pediatric nurses work primarily in children’s hospitals, doctors’ offices, hospitals and clinics, taking kids’ vitals during acute care visits and well-child checkups, administering immunizations, and caring for common illnesses like chicken pox and the flu.

One of the most important parts of a pediatric nurse’s job is educating both children and parents on medications, nutrition and care routines, especially those battling chronic illnesses. Pediatric nurses serve a crucial role in ensuring kids receive the care they need and are developing and progressing at a healthy rate.

Note: Basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification, as well as one year of clinical experience, are required for all nurses RNnetwork places.

Education

Since children’s bodies are quickly growing and changing and they react differently to treatments and medications than adults do, classes in child health and psychology are required for a career as a pediatric nurse. You must earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing and pass your NCLEX as well.

The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board offers pediatric nurse certification, which requires a minimum of 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical experience or five years of experience as a pediatric nurse. You can also certify in emergency care, primary care or other specializations within the field as you become a certified pediatric nurse (CPN).

Good luck on your nursing journey! The demand for nurses continues to increase, which gives you more options than ever before.

Want to travel with us? Check out our open pediatric nursing jobs.