What are the duties of a pediatric nurse?

Since long ago, nursing had a very significant role, where these nurses were in charge of providing support, advice and care to pregnant women and during childbirth. Although their important role was disappearing, the nurse was always maintained as a feminine role to replace the doctor during childbirth.

Today, pediatric nurses are valued and required in many areas where children are involved, from birth to late adolescence. Society today is much more health conscious, especially in the development of the very young.

If you are interested in children and studying nursing, you already have a perfect option for a professional career: pediatric nursing. Learn more about this important specialty in the branches of nursing, we will explain everything you need to know.

What is pediatric nursing?

Pediatric nursing is the branch of nursing that is responsible for providing medical care to infants, children and adolescents. Nurses must apply all their knowledge to meet the needs of each child.

Their care must be adapted to each situation, it is not the same to take care of a baby than an adolescent, but they still transmit security, confidence and kindness for an environment full of tranquility in each visit to the doctor.

Pediatric nursing is a very important specialty, since to grow as adults we must go through a stage of development, where nurses are present with their knowledge in each specialty, and make healthy growth.

The functions within this specialty are very diverse, which plays a crucial role for the pediatrician, hospitals, schools or at home. Pediatric nurses fulfill their work, more than a job, it is their vocation.

Nurses are part of a team dedicated to the health of the little ones. Let’s remember that babies do not know how to talk, and the nurse is in charge of noticing what affects them without even asking for symptoms. In addition, they are able to administer medications or injections, explain to family members what is happening and heal wounds, and even make the child feel much better.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Duties

The closest thing to a pediatrician is the nurse. Their functions are crucial for the proper functioning of health centers, when we talk about their specialty in general. However, a pediatric practice will be organized, controlled and managed by a pediatric nurse.

Now, pediatric nurses are specialists in the knowledge acquired in the university degree. Many times nurses can see children longer than the doctors themselves.

The functions of a pediatric nurse are as follows:

• Their role is very different from that of adult nurses, as children are still growing, so the impact of illness or injury on development must be taken into account.
• Many children cannot speak or do not speak very well, therefore, the nurse in pediatrics must study and gather information from nonverbal expressions, at least, an adult can dictate their symptoms.
• Nurses in pediatrics should, in addition to improving physical health status, detect feelings of anxiety, confusion, fear or despair to reassure them and create a comfortable environment where they can adapt.
• They must comply with taking the child’s temperature upon arrival at the office, being able to recognize their state of severity to communicate it with family members and physician.
• Must accompany the physician while they test the child to determine appropriate treatment. In addition, offers assistance to the physician at every point where the child is being examined.
• If necessary, they should administer medications or injections. Also, dress wounds and change bandages.
• Finally, pediatric nurses must educate children by teaching them to have a much healthier lifestyle, explaining the administration of medications and what will be very good for their development, in an ideal language that children manage to understand.

Should you study pediatric nursing?

Once you have understood all the functions involved in becoming a pediatric nurse, you can consider whether it is the career path you want for your future. But, as we mentioned before, studying pediatric nursing is more than just a job, therefore, you must have some skills before choosing this profession.

Health is very important for living beings, we all need good health to fulfill our goals and daily tasks. Children should develop properly, besides, they need medical attention with care.

Don’t know if you should study pediatric nursing? If you have any of these skills you can consider this career path as a great option:

• You remain calm in the face of chaotic situations around you, and you are able to convey calm to others.
• You are not quick to anger.
• You tend to show affection and care easily, not just with loved ones.
• You like children and are interested in learning more about them.
• You like to socialize
• You are not afraid to carry a lot of responsibility
• You got good grades in biology or psychology from a young age
• You maintain a stable personality when dealing with difficult situations.
• You can multitask without feeling anxious or disorganized.

Likewise, each of these characteristics can be great evidence if you will be able to go into pediatric nursing or should choose another career path. We should highlight children in these characteristics, as they are the primary caregivers in this branch of nursing.

Summary

If you want to become a pediatric nurse you should evaluate each of the functions we have explained. This professional career is one of the best paid in the United States, besides being a profession in high demand by thousands of families.

The responsibility that defines you begins with making good decisions in your professional and personal life, so you must consider each of the aspects explained in this section. Now, start your professional journey with confidence, children require your attention since they are born.