Pediatric nursing is a particular area of nurses that requires nurses to work with children. In nursing school, student nurses are required to take a pediatric class also known as care of the child. This nursing class will help prepare the soon to be nurse with basic knowledge about pediatric nursing if they choose to pursue this field. The field of nursing is full of exciting opportunities to learn new concepts and help needy patients. Those who love to work with children may want to specialize in pediatric nursing to fulfill their need to work with kids.
The job requires a high level of skill and hard work. Pediatric nursing jobs require an excellent rapport with children—especially when they are not feeling well. Pediatric nurses quickly learn that no two patients or days are the same so they must constantly change their way of thinking to adjust to the changing demands of the job.
What is Pediatric Nursing?
The hectic job of being a pediatric nurse may consist of working with children who range from newborn babies to those in their teen years. These specialized nurses must have a high level of skill because they can experience very different situations with each patient that they assist.
Pediatric nurses work in doctor’s offices and hospitals providing personable experiences with their young patients. Pediatric nursing is much more difficult than other types of nursing due to the age and care that these young patients need. These nurses make their young patients’ a little less frightened by using their patience and warm personalities. Pediatric nurses may also have to work with patients who are critically ill. They must use their critical thinking abilities and nursing skills to help these patients to the best of their abilities.
Pediatric nursing courses train nursing students to support the overall wellness and health of children up to 18 years of age. The course topics may include common illnesses, health maintenance, and child immunization. Specialized pediatric courses may include content related to diagnostic procedures, therapeutic treatments, diagnostic testing, and nursing theories.
How a Pediatric Nurse Uses Pediatric Nursing on the Job
Pediatric nurses must first use their pediatric nursing skills to form a relationship with their patients. Children may be very reluctant to trust someone other than their parents to provide them care—especially when children are sick. One they have used their skills to make a connection with their patients, they can begin to provide care these young patients.
Nurses use what they learn in their pediatric nursing course to administer vaccinations, perform check-ups, diagnose illnesses, and provide medical care to their patients. They also educate the parents and the children about ways to restore their good health. Pediatric nurses also use their skills to convey information to parents and between the parents and the doctor. They answer any questions that the parents have and reassure them that the medical staff is doing everything that they possibly can for the child.
Nursing students learn about various medical tools—such as heart monitors, stethoscopes, IV bags, and blood pressure readers—in their pediatric nursing courses. Their ability to perform their jobs depends greatly on their ability to know the proper use of these tools.
How to Pass Pediatric Nursing Class in Nursing School–Great Study Guide
Most nursing pediatric classes cover a lot of material in such a short time. As a student nurse taking a pediatric class you are required to know many childhood illnesses such as many respiratory illnesses, congenital heart disease, & gastrointestinal diseases. There are so many of these conditions that it can get confusing on what is what. A great study guide can help break this down for you by highlighting the areas that you will be tested on by your professor and the NCLEX-RN exam.
A great study guide to help you study for pediatric class in nursing school is by Mary Ann Hogan called ” Prentice Hall Reviews & Rationales: Child Health Nursing “. Here is what it looks like (affiliate disclaimer: purchasing through our site helps support our work):
Tips on How to Study for Pediatric Nursing in Nursing School
Studying to pass the Pediatric Nursing course can be very time-consuming but well worth the hard work and dedication. There are so many different types of information to study that there is no reason why nursing students should not do well in nursing school. Here are a few additional study tips that nursing students may not have considered but should.
- Use the wealth of information on the Internet. Nursing students can turn to the Internet as a valuable source to study pediatric nursing materials. There are websites dedicated to helping students pass nursing courses. Nursing students can find online flashcards, examples of case studies, disease treatments and more.
- Read pediatric journals. Nursing students can stay up to date with the latest information in healthcare regarding pediatric nursing. Students can find information on new treatment options, diseases, and more that may help them ace the test and their certification examination.
- Use certification exam books to study. Much of the information that nursing student learn in their pediatric nursing examination will also be covered on the certification exam to become registered nurses. These study tools can be found online and in bookstores, so nursing students should pick up a copy soon.
Studying to become a pediatric nurse comes with the assurance that someday the nursing student will have a very rewarding career. Caring for children is very important and requires a high level of skill and confidence to do so. Providing care for patients is challenging but worth the hard work in nursing school. Pediatric nursing courses provide nursing students with a step in the right direction.