They hold advanced degrees in nursing and pass additional exams in order to practice. Students complete their clinicals around Chicago, the main in-person requirement for the DNP. Anyone who lives in California can take advantage of UCSF's lower in-state tuition rates, too. Pediatric nurses work in doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals, surgical centers and other health care settings. Pediatric nurses spend their days with children. Travel nurses get to work short-term jobs all over the country, usually for 12-week contracts (or sometimes longer). Once you become a practicing RN, you can seek out positions that will give you experience in pediatrics. In addition, being a pediatric nurse means that you’ll have to know how to handle the sensitivities and limitations of the age of the patient you’re caring for. In order to qualify, certification candidates are required to have a current nursing license and 1,800 hours of work in a pediatric clinic. Learn More. Pediatric nurses who work 10-hour shifts work four days a week. In some work settings, nurses work rotating shifts -- a few days or weeks working days, then swing or night shifts. Pitt also offers an MSN-DNP for current NPs, and this option comes entirely online. 10. Although the CPN certification is completely voluntary, it greatly increases a nurse… In fact, RN jobs are projected to have a growth rate of 12% through the year 2028, which is faster than most occupations, according to the BLS. Rasmussen College: The Nursing Debate: 8-Hour Shifts vs. 12-Hour Shifts, Wharton University of Pennsylvania: RX for Hospital Nurses: Shorter Shifts, Less Burnout. Pediatric nurses in hospitals will work a variety of shifts that provide care 24/7, while those working for a community organization might have more traditional hours. Home care nurses may work similar hours but take call on weekends. According to ZipRecruiter.com, the five states with the highest average salary for pediatric nurses include: Nursing will continue to be an in-demand field because of the impending nursing shortage and the aging population. For instance, working for a children’s hospital is a natural fit for pediatric nurses. What Are the Working Hours Per Week for a Pediatric Nurse? They might also spend their nights with children, depending on their work shift. Hospitals and private pediatrician offices are the most obvious choices; however, there is a need for pediatric nurses in clinics, government agencies, social service agencies, community groups, and schools. A pediatric nurse may specialize in a particular area, such as cardiology, endocrinology, neonatalology, trauma, etc. Located in Seattle, the University of Washington doesn't offer an MSN in pediatric nursing. Pediatric nurses on eight-hour shifts usually rotate days off so that all have an opportunity to have a weekend off periodically. As mentioned, to become an RN, you must complete a degree program in nursing. Doing so allows them to take on roles in which they can work specifically with babies, toddlers, tweens, and teens. This list is based on a number of factors including: Many pediatric nurses choose to earn a graduate degree, so this list takes into account the best graduate degrees for pediatric nurses. Here are a few to start with: Additionally, Nurse.org is an invaluable resource for everything you need to know about a career as a pediatric nurse. Every job has its own unique job responsibilities, but one thing that remains a constant through every pediatric nursing job is interaction with children. Current NPs looking to transition into pediatric nursing can enroll in Duke's post-graduate pediatric NP-primary care program, too. Full-time students finish this program in just one year, so the steep price is essentially a one-time cost. By helping children thrive, you help the world to do so too. A minimum of 5 years as an RN in pediatric nursing and 3,000 hours in pediatric nursing within the last 5 years with a minimum of 1000 hours within the past 24 months (use only if unable to meet the above option) Hours earned in a pediatric nursing … This can help you decide whether to pursue the specialty and earn additional certifications. To learn more about pediatric nursing careers, it’s a good idea to explore the resources offered by the various professional associations. Teaching patients and their families how to manage illnesses or injuries. Eight-hour shifts in a 24-hour institution such as a hospital require three shifts to cover the full time period. Practice Resources. UPenn prefers applicants to have a BSN, RN license, and a year of pediatric nursing experience. Members earn free contact hours on a wide range of topics affecting the pediatric nurse. Once an individual has over 1,800 hours of career experience as a pediatric nurse over a 24 month period, they can apply for this certification. Created for current BSN holders, the DNP takes three years to complete and leads to certification in Pennsylvania. With an eight-hour shift pattern, a pediatric nurse works five day, "swing" or night shifts each week. The program only accepts BSN or MSN students with at least one year of RN experience, though no previous pediatric nursing experience is required. Upon graduation, students become eligible to earn licensure in New York, though many graduates go on to work in other states. Annual Tuition: $39,644 (based on per-credit tuition rate). Their skills bring particular comfort to children being treated in acute care departments, such as the neonatal unit, pediatric critical care unit and pediatric oncology ward, and to their parents.Pediatric nurses also work in schools, in private practice and for community groups and other organizations that provide outpatient and … The DNP in pediatric primary care nursing has students complete most of their courses online, except for some on-campus immersions.