Pediatric Nurse Salary
Before we get into specifics on what an average pediatric nurse salary may be, let’s look at what the job consists of. Pediatric nurses are specialized in “pediatrics” which is concerned with providing nursing care for children and adolescents. They generally work with pediatricians in the pediatric unit of a hospital.
Often, they perform physical exams, diagnose injuries, educate the parents and provide necessary support when needed. They sometimes work in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, taking care of critically ill children. They also work in schools, and day care centers as regular nurses. In school settings, they are generally called upon to perform routine physicals, deliver immunization and treating common childhood illnesses or injuries. Pediatric nurses dedicate their life for the well being of our future generation and can be an incredibly rewarding career path.
Pediatric Nurse Salary
Like many professions, a pediatric nurse’s salary varies based on training, years of experience, location and employer. In the United States, the highest paying state is California with an average of $20,134 – $117,072 per year. On the flip side, the lowest paying state is Florida with an average of $30,000 – $67,959 yearly. Generally
speaking, the more specialized the pediatric nurse is in terms of further training, the higher the salary.
On average, the starting pediatric nurse salary is about $45,000 per year. A pediatric nurse with less than five years of experience can still earn more than $50,000 in salary. For more than five years experience, pediatric nurses earn an average salary of $80,000. Overall in the United States the average pediatric nurse salary is $60,833. (SOURCE: Salary.com)
Education Needed to Become a Pediatric Nurse
All pediatric nurses have to be registered nurses (RNs). They must have completed a four-year Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing (BSNs). To become a certified pediatric nurse (CPN) one has to take an exam after providing nursing care for children for a certain amount of time. To become a certified pediatric nurse practitioner one has to meet the following requirements in addition to the RN requirements:
One has to be recognized by their state’s board of nursing as an advanced practice nurse (APN).
One has to get a certificate from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) as a Pediatric Nurse.
Getting the certificate is very important as it ensures a higher salary and increases the chances of finding a better employer. Furthermore, it is necessary in some states and recommended in others.
You should do a little further research into the specific requirements of your state.
Job Growth Outlook For Pediatric Nurses
Nursing in general is exploding as a career option. It is one of the fastest growing job areas in the country. Overall registered nursing positions are expected to grow at a rate of 22%, which is much faster than the average job is expected to in the U.S.
Keep in mind however, that there is certainly some fluctuations between various nursing positions. For example, nursing positions within hospitals, while expected to grow fast, are not expected to grow as fast as outpatient nursing positions. More and more nurses will be needed in arenas outside the hospital, whether it be home care, hospice care or smaller doctor’s offices. The same will apply to nursing positions in pediatrics.
Pediatric nursing is a rewarding and fast growing field. Now is the time to do some further research online into the specific opportunities for education in your specific state.
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