Infants, children, and adolescents are all treated by pediatric nurses. These nurses assist physicians with examinations, testing, and immunizations for babies and children in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, and specialty offices. A person in this position also assists in educating and counseling sick and injured children’s families.
Pediatric nurses assist in the care of children by performing diagnostic tests and administering medications. Stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, and cardiopulmonary monitors are frequently used to monitor patients’ vital signs. In addition to monitoring a patient’s condition, an emergency room pediatric nurse may be required to perform basic examinations, start IVs, and collect urine and stool samples.
Other tests are frequently ordered by a pediatric nurse to aid in the diagnosis of a child’s illness or injury. To gain a better understanding of a patient’s condition, they order x-rays, blood tests, and other laboratory tests. In addition to immunizations and medication administration, these nurses assist in the management of chronic conditions and illnesses.
These nurses, in addition to providing medical care, frequently provide emotional and mental support to their patients by being gentle and kind to young patients who may not understand their condition. They may speak with sick or injured children’s families to answer questions and provide educational information about their child’s condition and treatment options. Pediatric nurses are also in charge of maintaining open lines of communication with other doctors and specialists involved in their patients’ care. This type of nurse is also responsible for gathering medical records from other doctors’ offices and hospitals.
Nurses who work with children must keep up with their education and training. While working in a doctor’s office or a hospital, some nurses receive pediatric training. Others learn how to treat children and teenagers through specialized courses and training at educational institutions such as colleges and universities. Registered nurses (RNs) in the United States can take an exam to become a Certified Pediatric Nurse after graduation.
A pediatric nurse can work a variety of shifts and schedules. Nurses who work in emergency rooms and other areas of a hospital are frequently required to work long hours or overnight. Nurses who work in doctor’s offices and clinics have more predictable schedules and rarely work outside of normal business hours.