How Many Years To Become A Pediatric Registered Nurse

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Colicky babies. Preschoolers with croup. Injured kids. Pediatric nurses might see any of these patients, and more. These registered nurses address the health care needs of infants through teens. You tin can take several paths for this career. An RN acquaintance degree or bachelor's caste will become you started. And so you lot search for a job in a setting that offers pediatrics, such as a pediatrician'southward office, a clinic, an emergency room or hospital. To expand your credentials -- and become more attractive to potential employers -- you can accept an examination to become certified. Nurses who wish further educational activity tin can become pediatric nurse practitioners.

Explore this article

The Two-Year Approach
Bachelor Basics
Certification Possibilities
Beyond RN

1 The Two-Year Approach

The shortest road to condign a pediatric nurse is a two-twelvemonth Associate of Scientific discipline in Nursing degree. With this degree, virtually classes are structured specifically toward medicine. Classes include Beefcake and Physiology, microbiology and Fundamentals of Nursing. Only a few general education courses are required, such every bit English composition and algebra. In addition, students get hands-on experience applying nursing skills. Scheduling options vary: Schools may accept twenty-four hours, evening and night classes. Very like programs are available at hospital schools, which offer diplomas upon completion. Graduates with an A.Due south. or diploma are eligible to sit for the NCLEX licensing exam. After passing, they can seek pediatrics employment.

2 Available Basics

If y'all are interested in a broader program of written report, you lot can enter the field with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Ii options are bachelor. Some schools have an RN to BS program, in which RNs who already have associate degrees or diplomas and licenses can enter a one- or two-twelvemonth program. Students examine public health bug, leadership skills and health care systems. A B.S. degree is too available to students without a nursing background. These four-yr programs may begin immediately during the freshman yr. However, at some schools, students must consummate their first two years of college before inbound the nursing plan. This grooming includes several prerequisites, such equally Anatomy and Physiology, chemistry and microbiology.

3 Certification Possibilities

RNs can take a pediatric nursing certification exam presented by the American Nursing Credentialing Center, which is part of the American Nurses Clan. This professional organization has been functioning since 1911. To be eligible for the proficiency exam, nurses must have at least 2 years' professional nursing experience, 3,000 hours of recent pediatric nursing and xxx hours of professional evolution in the field. The 3.v-60 minutes estimator-based exam has 175 questions and is offered at testing centers across the country.

4 Beyond RN

Pediatric nurse practitioners receive additional preparation in the field, expanding their knowledge and skills in diagnostic examinations, research, well-child care, counseling and public policy. These programs have a variety of timelines and formats. They typically accept between one and 2 years, and tin can be total- or function-time. Students can receive a Chief of Science in Nursing or a postmaster's certificate if they already concord an M.S. Courses include advanced-level studies in areas such as pathophysiology, pharmacology, main care and research. Graduates are eligible for certification through the ANCC or Pediatric Nursing Certification Lath.

Most the Author

Living in upstate New York, Susan Sherwood is a researcher who has been writing within educational settings for more x years. She has co-authored papers for Horizons Enquiry, Inc. and the Capital Region Science Instruction Partnership. Sherwood has a Ph.D. in curriculum and educational activity from the University at Albany.