Taylor+Starkey

= The Pediatric Nurse! =

== =What is a Pediatric Nurse?= The Registered nurse (RN) itself treats, educates and provides advice and emotional support to patients. The RN helps the Physician by recording the patients' information, recording symptoms and complaints, performing tests, administering medications/treatments, and helping with other patient-related issues. The RN may choose to specialize by a certain body function or even by population. The Pediatrics nurse is in the population category. They specialize in children and adolescents from 2 days to 18 years old. The Pediatric nurse may further specialize. For example, they could be a Pediatric Diabetes Nurse which would specialize in children and adolescents with Diabetes. (BLS)

== =Where Does the Pediatric Nurse work?=

The pediatric nurse may work in many different locations. The most common are those that follow:
(BLS)
 * ====Hospitals====
 * ====Physicians Offices====
 * ====Schools====
 * ====Military Setting====

== =Salary:=

The salary of RN's averages to about $62,450. The RN's salary may be determined by experience, location, work place and specialty.
(BLS)
 * = ====Employment Services==== ||= ====$68,160==== ||
 * = ====General Hospitals==== ||= ====$63,880==== ||
 * = ====Physician Offices==== ||= ====$59,210==== ||
 * = ====Home Health Care==== ||= ====$58,740==== ||
 * = ====Nursing Facilities==== ||= ====$57,060==== ||

== =﻿Education:= In Nursing there are different options in choosing education, depending on the degree of education you are looking to receive. The RN must also take Prerequisite courses as well. The Pediatric RN may specialize through a Masters Degree or Graduate Certificate Program. Once the RN has attained a degree, they are required to pass the Licensure Examination. (eHow) (Education-Portal)
 * ===Associate's ( 2 years, Nursing Diploma)===
 * ===Bachelor of Science in Nursing (4 years, BSN)===
 * ===Graduate Nursing (6+ years, PhD or MSN)===

== =﻿Colleges to Choose From:=

Locally we have two great options for a Nursing Diploma:

 * Keiser University
 * Brevard Community College

Some 4-year Universities that have Nursing are:
(a2zcolleges)
 * =====University of Central Florida=====
 * Florida Atlantic University
 * Florida State University
 * University of Florida
 * University of South Florida

== = The Interview. =

Name of Person:
Amy Freese

Profession:
Registered Nurse (Pediatric)

Do you like your job?
Love it!

What are the positives about your job?
I work night shift so I am able to spend a lot of time with my kids. All of the staff on my floor work very well together. They are all team players. I learn something new every time I work.

What are the negatives of your job?
Sometimes your sleep schedule gets really out of wack.

What college or training did you have to go through? How long?
I received my RN from BCC it took me two years in the nursing program. I spent about a year and a half doing pre reqs.

Out of the college/training you had to go through, what were the most useful skills or classes your were required to do?
You have to renew your BLS and your PALS every two years. PALS (Pediatric advanced life support) has helped me a lot when a child is not doing well.

How much do you make a week? A year?
N/A

Do you find it easy or hard to live off your salary?
RNs are compensated very well.

Do you work days, nights or both?
Both. I work mainly night shift but I occasionally help out on days.

Is it easy to raise children and to find time for family with your job schedule?
Absolutely.

Are you required to continue training in your education to remain competitive and capable to do your job? If so what kind of training is required?
Yes we have to complete CEUs (continuing education units) to keep our license and we have to have BLS, CPR and PALS.

Do you find your field in high demand, not enough well qualified persons, or are their too many people within your field?
It changes every year depending on the hospitals budget. In my area (Pediatrics) there is not much turn over so we have all been working together for a while.

If you could go back to college and re-do your career choice, would you? Why?
No.

== =﻿My Opinion?= Since I am interested in the medical field I find nursing as an option. If I were to choose to be an RN I'd like to specialize in Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Labor and Delivery or Neonatal. I want to do something that involves children and babies. After doing this project I am even more positive that this is my area to study. I love kids and the salary and schedule is great!

== =Work Cited:=
 * Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor, //Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.// Registered Nurses. []. (visited //March 03, 2011//).
 * Education-Portal.com. Education-Portal. Prerequisites for Nursing: How to Start a Career in Nursing. []. (visited //March 13, 2011//)
 * eHow. Lietz, Jessica. Nursing Education Requirements. [] (visited //March 13, 2011//)
 * a2zcolleges.com. a2zcolleges. []. (visited //March 13, 2011//)

=Summary:=

A Pediatric nurse is a basic RN who specializes in Pediatrics. They work with children and adolescents who are ill. They work under supervision of a Physician, which in this case may be the Pediatrician. They assist in documentations, taking complaints and giving treatment. When choosing their education, they can choose from a BSN or Nursing Diploma. Most Universities have nursing since it is a growing field. In the Brevard area most people attend BCC or Keiser University. After receiving their degree, they must specialize in Pediatrics. This may take from about 4 to 6 years. Every RN must pass a Licensure Exam in order to work as an RN. The RN makes about $62,000 annually. They have the option to work in many places. The most common places are hospitals and in offices of physicians. Depending on the location, level of education and experience, the salary may be lower or higher. My main concern when it comes to choosing my career is having a family life. I do not want to work my life away. After interviewing Amy, I learned that she has plenty of time for her family. She loves her job too. I am already taking CAN courses and so far I like medical. I want to specialize in something that relates to children and babies. If I do choose to be a nurse, there is a pretty good possibility I will choose Pediatric Nursing. Otherwise I will do something pretty close to it.