When there are not enough nurses to correctly staff the hospitals and other medical facilities that provide health care throughout the nation, the nurses that are available get placed under additional stress, restricting their ability to provide quality care—relegating their patients to less desirable health care outcomes. Therefore, the academic community is pushing to bolster the number of active advanced nurse practitioners within the field by offering online training programs that can be used to remotely advance the expertise of nursing professionals across the nation. While qualifications for all specialized advanced nurse practitioner roles can be earned through online training, the following information highlights the benefits of getting qualified as a pediatric nurse practitioner online.
What is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner?
The foremost objective of nursing professionals should be to provide supportive care to the ill and their families, and in pediatric nursing, this commendable service is extended specifically to children and adolescents. Within this specialized nursing role, registered nurses or advanced practice registered nurses work with the youngest patient categories—infants, toddlers, preteens, and teenagers—each of which require specialized knowledge of caring for the developing human mind and body. Beyond providing health care via basic health services such as admitting patients, performing checkups, ordering medical tests, and diagnosing illnesses, it is also important to remain sensitive to the mental and emotional needs of younger patients by offering counseling and guidance to them and their families.
How to Become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Online
Becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner takes time and commitment, but by leveraging modern education and training resources like online pediatric nurse practitioner training programs, individuals can quickly complete the following key steps toward advancing their nursing careers into the pediatric specialization.
Complete a Nursing Education Program
To be an effective pediatric nurse practitioner, an individual must complete a formal degree in nursing, as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate degree in nursing (ADN) will expose them to many of the key technical nursing concepts and theories. Through their education, they will learn about anatomy, biology, physiology, chemistry, and behavioral science, qualifying them to pursue the next steps toward an advanced career in pediatric nursing.
Get Certified as a Registered Nurse
Following graduation, prospective pediatric nurses must ask their State Board of Nursing to license them as registered nurses, permitting them to take the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses, often referred to as the NCLEX-RN. This exam will focus on four areas of nursing practice:
● Safe effective care environments – Maintaining hygiene standards and controlling infections.
● Health promotion and maintenance – Providing preventive health care education and services.
● Psychosocial integrity – Coping with stresses and delivering mental health care to patients.
● Physiological integrity – The primary element of the exam, focuses on one’s ability to deliver effective nursing care. [4]
Find Work in Pediatric Nursing
Before pursuing an advanced degree in nursing, it is important that advancing nurses get hands-on experience in the field they hope to specialize in. One such role could be as a pediatric registered nurse, where nursing professionals can gain experience providing care to children, administering minor nursing duties like giving vaccinations or drawing blood.
Consider Earning the Certified Pediatric Nurse Credential
While not mandatory to find success in a pediatric nursing career, earning the Pediatric Nursing Certification demonstrates a nurse’s commitment to the pediatric nursing profession, showing prospective employers that they are qualified candidates for advanced positions. Gaining the Certified Pediatric Nurse credential requires a nursing license and 1,800 working hours in a pediatric clinic. [3]
Acquire an Advanced Degree for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Online
After completing the initial career steps into a pediatric nursing career, it is time to complete a Master of Science in Nursing to qualify for advanced practice registered nursing roles. Completing coursework for pediatric nurse practitioners online, grants graduates a flexible educational experience that effectively blends knowledge of nursing theory, biology, and leadership to prepare advanced practice nurses for careers leading pediatric care departments. [1]
Where Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Can Work
After completing their online pediatric nurse practitioner coursework and obtaining their Master of Science in Nursing, advanced practice nurses are qualified to work in any health facility that treats children, including: intensive care units, emergency pediatrics units, outpatient clinics, private practices, home health care, and school nurse offices.
Salary and Career Outlook for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of advanced nursing jobs that are available in the U.S. are on the rise, with 31 percent more jobs expected between 2016 and 2026. For jobs as a nurse practitioner, nurses can expect to earn a median salary of $98,190. [2]
Regis College offers students a flexible online pediatric nurse practitioner training program that will help nurses develop a holistic approach to pediatric care through coursework that has been refined by experienced nurse educators who draw upon the knowledge of active professionals from within the field of pediatric medicine. To capitalize on the growing demand for nurses to provide quality care to children, consider completing your Master of Science in Nursing for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners online with Regis College.
Learn More
Family nurse practitioners play a major role in today’s health care field. The responsibilities of FNPs have evolved alongside that of physicians, which means additional opportunities, autonomy, and authority. At Regis College, our Master of Science in Nursing FNP online program can help you develop the specialized skill set you need to practice at the advanced level.
Recommended Readings:
Career Outlook: Family Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric NP Job Roles and Responsibilities
How Family Nurse Practitioners with a DNP Degree Empower Patients and Families
Sources:
1. https://nurse.org/articles/PNP-Pediatric-Nurse-Practitioner-Jobs/
2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm
3. https://nurse.org/resources/pediatric-nurse/
4. https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm