The job of a pediatric nurse practitioner not only requires effectively providing care to acutely, chronically, or critically ill children, but also providing emotional support to the family as they cope with their child’s condition. Educated nurses who are currently pursuing a career in pediatric nursing can discover more about the discipline through the following real-world perspectives.
Lindsay Grubensky: ER Pediatric NP
Lindsay provides critical care to children as a pediatric nurse practitioner in the emergency department of a large metropolitan hospital. Facilities in metropolitan areas are often quite busy, and though she is surrounded by other skilled nurses and physicians, Lindsay does not discount the level of stress that can develop in such a high-pressure environment. Her job requires that she constantly evaluates patients from every viewpoint and with quick precision to determine whether their symptoms are of minor or serious concern. This requires seeing patients independently, admitting them if further care is required, and ordering procedures for patients or performing them herself.
In an interview, Lindsay describes how she is obligated to not commit too much time to patients who do not need it most, yet she recognizes that providing thorough and accurate patient evaluation and quality care takes priority. Through professional experience, obtaining her Master of Science in Nursing, and completing professional nursing certifications programs, such as the Pediatric Advanced Life Support program and the Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course, Lindsay states that she has enhanced her rapid assessment skills and greatly broadened her scope of experience and career opportunities. [1]
Kim Pierce: HIV Care Pediatric NP
As a pediatric nurse practitioner who specializes in providing care to teens who have been infected with HIV, Kim Pierce has extensive experience with educating and providing critical care to patients with a life threatening chronic disease. Today, many people who are infected with HIV can obtain a high quality of life, and Kim works with these teens to ensure that they are aware of the most practical ways maintain their health and wellness while avoiding the medical risks of HIV.
Apart from her direct role in educating and treating HIV patients, Kim pridefully takes responsibility for helping the family members and community of her patients understand HIV, gradually removing the social stigma faced by many of her patients. To take control of their career path, Kim recommends that up-and-coming nurses follow her footsteps— first pursue a Master’s of Science in Nursing, then find a skilled nurse practitioner who can effectively mentor them to build a structured foundation of hands-on experience and valuable nursing insight that can be used to lead, innovate, and educate in nursing. [1]
Steadman McPeters: Pediatric Nurse NP Educator
Nurse practitioners are only as good as the nurse instructors who educate them, and through his career as a university nursing instructor, Dr. McPeters ensures that his students develop a passion for pediatric nursing while encouraging them to strive to become leaders in the field. Using modern communication technologies, Dr. McPeters offers his students distance-accessible classes that teach the fundamental components of evidence-based pediatric nursing. Though he is not currently involved in active patient care, Dr. McPeters is improving the skills of health care providers and helping progress research on pediatric surgery, pediatric obesity, and pediatric forensic nursing. [1]
Ingrid Cook: Navy Nurse Corps Reservist Pediatric NP
Navy Nurse Corps reservist primary care pediatric nurse practitioners like Ingrid Cook bring quality health care to the children of military families. On a daily basis, Ingrid usually sees fifteen to twenty patients at a pediatric outpatient clinic at a U.S. Navy hospital and provides well-child visits and acute sick visits when necessary. This is a leadership role that gives Cook the opportunity to collaborate with other Navy reserve nursing specialty leaders in person and via teleconference calls to discuss national issues that may affect military nursing.
Beyond clinical work, Cook also helps to mentor and advise other local reservists who specialize in pediatric nursing. Equally important to these duties is Cook’s responsibility as a Navy nurse to train the hospital corpsman to provide effective medical care to U.S. Marines on the front lines of battle. Cook mentions that earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing allowed her to be selected for the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, inviting this great opportunity to help sick children while serving her country and local community. [1]
Depending on an individual’s goals and interests, the career path of a pediatric nurse practitioner can lead in a diverse number of different directions. Yet, without obtaining the nursing expertise offered through advanced secondary degree and/or certification programs, nursing professionals will likely struggle to advance into the specialized role of pediatric nursing of their choice.
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In nursing, three letters on your nametag can make a world of difference. At Regis College, our online Master of Science in Nursing PNP program can do more than help you establish your reputation as an expert in health care; it can help you prove it daily. Specializing your MSN in pediatric nurse practice can open opportunities for leadership and advanced practice roles.
Recommended Reading:
Pediatric NP Job Roles and Responsibilities
Career Outlook: Family Nurse Practitioner
Source Examples:
1. https://www.pncb.org/nurse-interviews
2. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150112093047.htm
3. http://www.pediatricnursing.net