Though pediatric nursing is a much sought-after specialty among registered nurses, many areas within pediatrics are suffering from the same nursing shortages seen across the nation in adult and geriatric health care settings. Whereas pediatric and neonatal intensive care units are popular concentrations, many pediatric cardiology, hematology, and oncology nursing positions are left unfilled. Some registered nurses are choosing to enroll in online continuing education for nurse professionals in order to fill pediatric population needs and to find immediate employment quickly.
Working as a Pediatric Nurse
A professional who has chosen to specialize in pediatric care through online continuing education for nurse professionals will work primarily with children and adolescents. A pediatric nurse may work in a hospital, school, psychiatric facility, or a variety of other health care settings. Graduates of RN to BSN programs who work in pediatrics will find that the environment is markedly distinct from the adult health care setting. Hospitals may use red wagons rather than stretchers to transport patients between wards. Activities like arts, crafts, and games take place to encourage continuing mental development. Pain control is utilized to the point of giving topical anesthetics before inserting intravenous lines and administering injections. Some children even receive acupuncture in a hospital bed to further control chronic pain. The office setting is another familiar place for the pediatric nurse, working with doctors and families in routine care and diagnosis and treatment care.
Required Education to Work as a Pediatric Nurse
Although nurses may practice legally with a hospital diploma, associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree in nursing, employers more often prefer nurses to complete an RN to BSN online program or campus program to gain the skills necessary to work in a particular specialty of nursing. Earning an online nursing degree at the bachelor’s level provides nurses with the communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills that are essential in the expanding role of nurses in the health care environment.
Online continuing education for nurse professionals can be a convenient way to earn an RN to BSN degree. Some online nursing schools provide RN to BSN programs that are specifically designed for working registered nurses. For example, the University of Phoenix offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing that can be completed entirely through distance education while a student continues working as a registered nurse. Other online nursing schools, such as Kaplan University, offer online continuing education for nurse professionals that allow specialization in an area such as pediatrics. As of 2004, there were over 600 RN to BSN programs to accommodate the increased emphasis on advanced education for registered nurses.
Qualities Needed for Success as a Pediatric Nurse
In general, nurses must be caring, sympathetic, responsible, and detail oriented. Pediatric nurses in particular should be skilled at giving simplified explanations of medical procedures to their patients. In-depth explanations are commonplace in pediatric facilities prior to any invasive procedure. Pediatric nurses should also be prepared to cope with job stresses, such as crises, emergencies, and the suffering of children and adolescents. Finally, on-the-job training or internships are essential during the course of online continuing education for nurse professionals in order to gain the practical work experience necessary to work with the unique needs of the pediatric population.
Click on a program or degree below to request information from the school of your choice.
There are no obligations and it's completely free!
|
Westwood College isn't your typical institution of higher learning. With our career-focused education, students can earn a bachelor's degree in just three years and some associate degrees in as little as 20 months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
At Lincoln College Online, our goal is to combine the best features of online learning with the quality experience of a traditional college education. So you'll get the convenience, flexibility and value of an online college and the academic excellence and personalized attention of a bricks-and-mortar college.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saint Leo University Online is a leading provider of accredited online education to working adults and is a major global provider of education to the military. The online programs are designed to meet the growing needs of adult students and offer the best attributes of traditional classroom education in conjunction with today's most innovative computer technology.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lincoln Technical Institute is proud to offer over 60 years of experience supporting students through hands-on, focused career education. We are committed to our mission of helping students achieve personal and professional success and realize their potential, and we're here to partner with you in your goals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lincoln College of Technology is proud to offer over 60 years of experience supporting students through hands-on, focused career education. We are committed to our mission of helping students achieve personal and professional success and realize their potential, and we’re here to partner with you in your goals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At ITT Tech we are committed to helping men and women develop the skills and knowledge to pursue many opportunities in fields involving technology, criminal justice, and business.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potomac College was founded in 1991 and has continued to offer programs leading to the Associate of Science and the Bachelor of Science degrees that are in high demand fields. Potomac College is unique in its devotion to one goal-the needs of the working adult.
|
|
| Bachelor of Science in Management with Concentration in Health Systems |
About | Request Info
|
|
|
|
|
Raise your profile with Saint Leo University Online! We offer what you need for where you're going with our Online MBA Program. Saint Leo University Online honors the person that you already are and supports the person you want to become in the business world. Claim your future today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southwestern College is part of The Lincoln Group of Schools, a large and growing educational group with an established reputation as a quality resource for the industries we serve. Southwestern College can give you the training needed to start you on your path to success.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hybrid Medical Assisting Program - Work with patients at a doctor's office or clinic as a Medical Assistant. This course is half online and half hands-on training at our Phoenix Campus. Schedules are designed so that you don't have to spend more time in the classroom than necessary.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Florida Career College has been specializing in career training since 1982. All our programs are specially designed with employers' requirements in mind. We train individuals who want to succeed in the fields of Allied Health, Cosmetology, Information Technology, and Business and Wellness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International Training Careers has been training students like you since 1992. With over 5,000 graduates, International Training Careers gives you the tools to earn more money and command more respect.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tags: continuing education, health care, registered nurse, University of Phoenix
This entry was posted
on Monday, February 16th, 2009 at 11:44 am and is filed under Medical and Nursing.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
