Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Job Description
A pediatric nurse practitioner is a person that works with the advanced patient care for children in a hospital. Nurse practitioners go through more extensive training than registered nurses, so they are able to take on more job duties with the children in their care. If you want to care for kids on a more advanced level than you would as a pediatric nurse, this job could be perfect for you. Check out the pediatric nurse practitioner job description below for more information about this profession.
The Work of a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Every pediatric nurse practitioner position is a little different in terms of the work involved on a day to day basis. With that in mind, most of these positions are fairly similar in design. Here is a look at some of the job duties you may come across as a pediatric nurse practitioner:
Job Duties
- Diagnose medical conditions in infants
- Prescribe medications for parents and children
- Administer medications to patients
- Oversee entry-level nurses
- Draft medical reports
- Advise new parents in childcare
If you feel that you would do well working with children under those circumstances, this could be a great profession for you.
Places of Employment for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
Where do pediatric nurse practitioners work? Just about anywhere. Most of them work in hospitals or health care clinics, but they can find jobs wherever children are in need. The list below shows some of the most popular employers for pediatric nurse practitioners.
Employers
- Acute Care Hospitals
- Healthcare Facilities
- General Hospitals
- Medical Offices
- Medical Service Providers
- Pediatric Offices
Those employers are available in many areas of the job market, so you will need to make sure that you explore all of your options when searching for a job. You never know what awaits after you get your education. Possible industries of employment include:
Industries
- Acute Care
- Emergency Room
- Family Practice
- Gynecology
- Intensive Care Unit
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Nursery
Educational Requirements for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
If you think you want to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, you will need to get a college education. There are several degree programs that you may pass through along the way, but eventually you should come out with a master’s or doctorate degree. Possible education programs for pediatric nurse practitioners include:
Degrees
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Master of Science as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Doctorate in Nursing
Once you complete your degree program, you will be able to take an exam to obtain a nursing certification. There are several of these to choose from, and some of them may be required by your state. Here is a list of some certification programs you may pass through as a pediatric nurse practitioner:
Certifications
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Critical Care
- Family Practice
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatrics
Pay Rates for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
Pediatric nurse practitioner salaries vary throughout the country. Some nurses make more money than others because of the experience they have on the job or the size of the company they work for. No matter what though, nurse practitioners make more money than registered nurses across the board. You can see that with the charts below.
Salary by Years of Experience
- Less than 1 year of experience: $61,042 – $89,985 per year
- 1-4 years of experience: $57,900 – $93,758 per year
- 5-9 years of experience: $63,920 – $96,120 per year
- 10-19 years of experience: $62,028 – $108,083 per year
- 20 years of experience or more: $71,453 – $113,346 per year
Salary by Company Size
- 1-9 staff members: $60,043 – $99,329 per year
- 10-49 staff members: $59,598 – $94,146 per year
- 50-199 staff members: $45,958 – $102,765 per year
- 200-599 staff members: $62,416 – $132,108 per year
- 600-1999 staff members: $65,000 – $93,449 per year
- 2000-4999 staff members: $64,815 – $129,128 per year
- 5000-19999 staff members: $71,500 – $91,795 per year
Consider your goals for the future and determine if this pediatric nurse practitioner job description lines up with them. If it does, you could be well on your way to an exciting career.
Popular Schools and Recommended Degrees
Kaplan University
It takes a dedicated educational institution to stand beside you throughout your career. Whether you are already a nurse or have just made the decision to become one, Kaplan University has the people, programs, and professional affiliations to help you pursue your educational and career goals. Kaplan's nursing degree and certificate programs are taught by practicing professionals who are dedicated to helping you prepare for real-world challenges.
Liberty University Online
Liberty University's Department of Nursing is designed to provide individuals with a broad educational background, which builds upon liberal arts, behavioral and social sciences as well as nursing. The curriculum for the nursing program at Liberty University is directly derived from the stated purpose, philosophy, objectives and organizing framework of the Department of Nursing which is based on Patricia Benner?s nursing theory and the nursing process. It provides a framework for practice and a conceptual approach to the nursing curriculum.
CTU Online
As the largest group in the US healthcare workforce, nurses are challenged to make a significant difference in the health outcomes of individuals and populations. The RN to BSN degree completion program at Colorado Technical University is designed to prepare nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to expand their practice options for a variety of clinical and administrative leadership activities and to manage change in an increasingly complex and diverse environment.
