Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
All about Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
What is a pediatric nurse practitioner?
A pediatric nurse practitioner is a registered nurse that takes care of illnesses and medical conditions of infants, children and teenagers alike. She is a part of the medical team but is independent from a medical doctor’s supervision. Unlike a regular nurse that takes orders from doctors, a pediatric nurse practitioner can assess, diagnose, treat and even prescribe medication.
Aside from working independently, she also makes decisions for her patient’s welfare and endorses him to the other members of the medical team for further treatment and specialized care. Here are other expectations of a nurse practitioner for pediatric patients:
• Gathering information, records and family history related to the care of the child.
• Performing medical examinations like blood tests, urine tests, ECGs, EKGs and other appropriate diagnostic exams for the treatment of a child’s illness. A pediatric nurse practitioner may also interpret diagnostic exam results.
• May organize vaccine programs and give vaccination for well children in the community or in a clinic.
What are the requirements of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner?
A nurse practitioner for pediatric patients must be a registered nurse. She must also have a master’s degree in nursing as a minimum educational requirement. Pursuing nurse practitioner courses related to pediatrics and neonatal care is also a must to be able to work as a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Effective nursing and medical skills to assess, diagnose and treat pediatric concerns must be mastered plus the necessary attitude to take care of children and their concerns must be learned as well. Other programs that may help are acute patient care programs, intensive care and surgical care programs, family nursing programs and many other related courses to help a nurse practitioner for pediatrics improve her craft.
After finishing a master’s degree in nursing, an RN may choose to go for a nurse practitioner career or venture into teaching nursing students as a clinical instructor. Some may even study for a doctorate degree in nursing to further improve on essential knowledge, skills and behavior related to pediatric care.
After completing the necessary career requirements, a pediatric nurse practitioner must pass certification. This is done through nursing associations and various governing bodies in the nursing profession. Only after passing certification can an RN work as a nurse practitioner.
Why work as a pediatric nurse practitioner?
A nursepractitioner for pediatrics has a commanding compensation package since working with children and families is considered a special function in a hospital setting or in a community. If a nurse practitioner for pediatric patients lands a job in a hospital he may get an average of $80,000.00 to $90,000.00 annually, he may get more if he works for specialty clinic or if he works independently. Benefits range from hospitalization and medical benefits for the nurse and his immediate family, allowances, bonuses and night differential for being on call even during the night time. There are also attractive compensation packages that await pediatric nurse practitioner when they work abroad.