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5 Reasons Why Being a Pediatric Nurse is the Best

Nursing is a field that takes a special person to begin with, regardless of the age of the patients you work with.  Working as a pediatric nurse takes a special nurse that can tolerate the many pros and many cons of working with pediatric patients.  There are some downsides to working as a pediatric nurse that are worth mentioning.  You may give some thought and consideration regarding the pros and cons in this field; just to be sure you are making the best decision for yourself.  The biggest hurdle when working with pediatric patients is letting the job essentially gets to you.  You will need to have the ability to be strong for parents if there, and to not let your emotions overtake your position as a nurse.  That can be a bit challenging when there is a sick child involved, but it is a requirement that must be met.  When you consider all that a pediatric nurse is responsible for, and all that you do, it truly creates an added value to the position.  

Working with Children, Creating Smiles

There is nothing more pitiful than a child in a hospital bed.  As a nurse working with a sick child, you have the ability to lift the child's spirits.  The great thing about working with kids is,  you don’t need a marching band to entertain them and make them happy, you can do it with a silly face or a funny noise.  As a pediatric nurse, you have the ability to work with a child and make them smile.  Making an ill child smile is certainly a great pleasure, and can assure you that you are working in the right profession.  Children have unique qualities, regardless of whether they are sick, or at Disneyland.  Working as their nurse, you have the ability to bring out the very best in that child and to do what you can to make their day a little brighter.

Related:  5 Tell-Tale Signs that Show you’re working in a Maternity Ward


Offering Care and Support

There is something to be said for being there to offer support to a sick child's parents.  They may not have family locally, and depending on the situation, this may be the worst time in their life, watching their little one in a hospital bed.  That parent may be using every ounce of strength they have to be supportive of their child, when they themselves need someone to tell them it's going to be ok, or at that they have support from you as needed.  Most people cannot relate to having a chronically ill child, fortunately most children are healthy.  However, when you have a child that is very ill, it can be very important to have someone say they understand.  As a nurse working with sick children on a daily basis, you do in fact; understand how difficult it can be.  It is a great feeling to know that you have offered compassion, sympathy, understanding, and even a shoulder to cry on when needed. 

Pediatric Nurses Have Fun Jobs (sometimes)

Well, it's not every job that you can honestly say you had fun at work.  It's also not every day and every patient that you can say that you had fun with that day either.  However, there are many days and many patients that will make you laugh, and are very grateful that you choose the field of pediatrics to work in.  Children can be great entertainers and comedians, usually without even trying.  They may tell a very juvenile, silly joke, however it is funny, and it will make laugh.  They may tell you about their big sister, and how she looks when she curls her hair, or puts on mascara.  While their imitation is probably not 100% accurate, it is hilarious watching them mimic their sister's behavior. 

Demand for Pediatric Nurses

If you love working with children, and have a desire to go where there is a demand for your profession, pediatric nursing may be the perfect fit.  There is generally a shortage of pediatric nurses, so you would be contributing to an area that needs great nurses.  You would enjoy the benefits of working with children, while knowing you are filling a need as a pediatric nurse.  The greatest demand for pediatric nurses is going to be major cities, where children's hospitals are based or have a significant site.  Check the website of children's hospitals to determine the need for nurses.

Salary & Job Security

Aside for the personal reasons of wanting to work with children and offering support to parents under duress, there are some economical facts that are positive for pediatric nurses.  As a general rule, a pediatric nurse has a higher salary that a none specialized registered nurse.  You may be better off financially while working a job in nursing within the specialty field that you prefer.  Job security with pediatric nurses is excellent, due partially to the shortage of nurses in this area.  If your preference is to work with children, you will find that pediatric nursing can be a very stable, not to mention rewarding position. 

There are numerous specialty fields that nurses can select to specialize in, however few can compete with the specialty field of pediatric nursing.  The comfort that you provide for the child and the comfort you provide to the parent is often what get them through the next 24 hours.  Children that are young, and unable to communicate can be a challenge, however, as a dedicated pediatric nurse, you are able to detect from body language and symptoms, what that child needs to ensure they are comfortable.  You can sense when a parent needs reassurance, or just a friend, and you are able to react instantaneously in the event of an emergency.  You do it all, because you are a dedicated and excellent pediatric nurse. 


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