By Shani Valdez
Overview
Pediatric RNs are nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurse clinicians. Both BSN and MSN degrees are necessary education requirements for professional RNs looking to specialize in pediatrics. Candidates holding a bachelor's degree from another field qualify for the three-year accelerated BSN to MSN program; otherwise, candidates must enroll in the four-year BSN program and finish with the two-year MSN program. Nurses completing their three-year associate's degree in nursing are considered technical-level practice nurses and must still obtain both their BSN and MSN to further specialize in pediatrics.
Step 1
Determine when you want to start working. Unless you're doing an accelerated BSN to MSN program, the ADN programs will allow you to start working more expediently than a four-year BSN program. A BSN degree prepares nurses for a wider scope of nursing practice, which in turn increases BSN graduates employment options as a professional nurse versus a technical nurse with an ADN degree.
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Step 2
Research the benefits offered by your prospective employers. With nurses high in demand and the current nursing shortage only expected to increase, many employers offer tuition reimbursement and college credit benefits as incentives to employ with them. You can participate in these benefits after graduating minimally with your ADN or BSN and passing the NCLEX-RN.
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Step 3
Take your National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) after obtaining your ADN, BDN or MSN. Your state medical board administers the NCLEX-RN. Since your state board may have other requirements aside from the NCLEX-RN, it is best to double check with the medical board and determine if there are other mandatory requirements.
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Step 4
Apply for RN positions after successfully passing your NCLEX-RN. As noted by the U.S. Department of Labor, 56.2 percent of RNs are employed in hospital settings; consider various work settings for employment opportunities. It is expected that out-patient care facilities, physician's offices and home health care will experience the highest growth and employment opportunities over the next few years.
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Step 5
Expect competition if seeking employment in either a physician's office or outpatient care facility. A lot of nurses compete for these positions because they tend to offer normal business hours and better working environments. Employment services, which are also slated to have high growth rates, will also be competitive due to the industries high wages.
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How to Become a Children's Registered Nurse by ourprofessionals.com