How hard is it to become a pediatric nurse?

It is somewhat hard to become a pediatric nurse. The exact requirements can be difficult and the mental load that accompanies being a pediatric nurse can make it hard on some people who are considering the field.

What degree do you need to be a pediatric nurse?

You need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to become a pediatric nurse. To become a pediatric nurse, you are usually required to be a registered nurse (RN) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Every RN in the United States is required to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN).

What should I study to become a pediatric nurse?

To become a pediatric nurse, you should study for a nursing degree and pass a licensing exam. A pediatric nursing position requires that candidates also have a minimum amount of experience in the nursing field.

What is a pediatric nurse and how to become one

Q: What are the pros and cons of being a pediatric nurse?

The pros of being a pediatric nurse are competitive benefits and rewarding work, while the cons are long shifts and emotional burnout. Here is a more detailed look at the pros and cons of being a pediatric nurse:

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.,

Kim Raines

A pediatric nurse specializes in providing medical care to children. They work within a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Pediatric nurses monitor and assess the health of young patients, administer medications, and communicate with parents and caregivers. They assist pediatricians or healthcare providers in conducting physical exams and diagnostic tests. Pediatric nurses may also provide emotional support to children and their families during difficult times.

What general advice would you give to a Pediatric Nurse?

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.

Associate Dean of the School of Nursing Professor of Nursing, Quinnipiac University

One of the suggestions for new graduates is the importance of self-care. We have long known of the demanding nature of the nursing practice. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the nursing role's critical importance and the unique contributions made by nursing professionals. As the healthcare environment is extremely complex and challenging, nurses must remember to advocate for themselves and prioritize self-care.

ScorePediatric NurseUS Average

Salary

5.7

Avg. Salary $72,945

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 8.95%

Black or African American 11.28%

Hispanic or Latino 9.09%

Unknown 4.27%

White 65.97%

Gender

female 92.35%

male 7.65%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.1

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a pediatric nurse?

Pros

High demand for pediatric nurses
Opportunity for advancement into leadership roles
Constant learning and professional development opportunities
Competitive salary and benefits
Opportunities to work with a diverse patient population

Cons

Physically demanding job duties, including lifting and moving patients
Exposure to infectious diseases
Limited autonomy in decision-making as a part of a healthcare team
Facing ethical dilemmas in patient care
Required continuing education and certification maintenance.

Key steps to become a pediatric nurse

Explore pediatric nurse education requirements

Most common pediatric nurse degrees

Bachelor's

49.3 %

Associate

34.6 %

Master's

6.6 %

Start to develop specific pediatric nurse skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	21.90%
Home Health	14.02%
BLS	11.93%
Acute Care	5.64%
CPR	4.98%

Complete relevant pediatric nurse training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New pediatric nurses learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a pediatric nurse based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real pediatric nurse resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed pediatric nurse usually require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed pediatric nurse in most of states. 43 states require pediatric nurses to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	Degree required	State exam required	Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Alaska	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Licensed Practical
Arkansas	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
California	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Licensed Vocational Nurse
Colorado	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Licensed Practical Nurse

Gain additional pediatric nurse certifications

Pediatric nurse certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific pediatric nurse certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for pediatric nurses include Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

More About Certifications

Research pediatric nurse duties and responsibilities

Provide continuous telemetry monitoring and managing multiple patients with multiple high-risk medical conditions, utilizing interdisciplinary collaboration.
Manage surgical recovery patients including vascular, ENT, GI urological and neurological cases, coronary bypass surgery patients.
Coordinate care for acute and chronic pediatric oncology patients with an emphasis on family centered care and patient education.
Certify in ACLS and BLS.

Prepare your pediatric nurse resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your pediatric nurse resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a pediatric nurse resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable pediatric nurse resume templates

Build a professional pediatric nurse resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your pediatric nurse resume.