thinking of becoming a pediatric nurse..?

Question

i would love to be a nurse, really a doctor, but i think that would involve to much work and take too much time. I really would not like to see very deeps wounds or give stitches, thats my only problem. But i love learning about medicine and all that stuff. i love the medical atmosphere. Would there be alot of gore and nasty stuff in training to be a pediatric nurse in college? I really would just like to be a family doctor or nurse that you see when your a little sick or need a check up. Would a pediatric nurse be the right job for me? if not is there a particular kind of nursing i should try, that doesnt involve too much gore. ? and if you know the average salary for that, that would be great too. thanks!
by the way im in 10th grade so i dont know too much about this stuff.

Answer 1

The terms used are not quite accurate, so lets' try to clarify.

RNs are educated to work in all areas of healthcare. There are associates degree, diploma and bachelors degree programs, and they have slightly different course content, but they all basically teach the RN to work in pediatrics, med-surg, ob/gyn, psychiatric, and geriatrics. If you then want to work with pediatric patients you get the hospital to give youa position on a pediatric unit, or a pediatric psychiatric unit or in the new-born nursery. There are additional training programs (either structured or not) for critical care, labor and delivery, recovery room and operating room.

In advanced practice nursing (nurses who have completed their bachelors degree (BSN) and masters degree (MSN)) there is a profession called pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) a PNP works with children in a pediatric clinic like a pediatrician and sees pateints from infant to 18 years old.
There are also Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) they see patients in clinics, like a family practicie physician, in ages from infant to however old the patient may reach. There is minimal gore in this profession (maybe a small cut to be sutured). PNPs and FNPs often have a C either in front or behind their initials signifying board certification.

Pediatricians and Family Practice Physicians (MDs or DOs) see patients in clinic in the same ages as their nurse counterparts.

Nurse practitioners salaries vary dependent on where they are located. The range in a major city would be around $75,000 - $200,000.

Answer 2

Becoming A Pediatric Nurse

Answer 3

This is a great goal!! Being in the 10th grade is a perfect opportunity to get involved in activities such as the Heart Academy (at school) volunteer at a local hospital and the such....Pediatric Nurse is an OK job to do, price range perhaps around $60-80,000 per year. If you like diagnosing or cutting into people - either go into Nurse Practitioner or a D.O. school, you are still young and have the energy to work and still further your education, so all in all pediatric nurse will give you the opportunity to work, make decent income and continue further education,,,,,Good Luck and Quite admirable ............!!!!!!!

Answer 4

You also need to know that just because you like children, it does not mean you need to be a nurse. You will be required to do many painful procedures to them. You may have to draw their blood – you may have to start an intravenous solution (which is very painful), you may have to assist the doctor when the patient gets a lumbar puncture (needle in the back). You may need to hold down the patient when they get sutured. If these things make you feel uncomfortable, it may not be for you. Regarding gross, nasty things. Yes, it needs to be clean up. At the end of the day, someone needs to do it. Imagine your own children, or since you are very young, your younger brother or sister, in the hospital, you just hope and pray that he or she has a good, caring nurse. You don't think about it. You just do it. Nursing school is not that difficult. However, it is not a walk in the park. The answer to number three, nobody can make you do anything. If you are not scheduled to work, they can call you, and bagging you to come in if there are shortstaffed. You do not have to answer the phone, and you do not have to volunteer to come in. But if you do that, you will be known as someone who is reliable and willing to help. At the end of the year when you get your yearly evaluation, this will reflect so. p.s. This does not apply if you were in the military.

Answer 5

Its such a wonderful career to get into. But I have to warn you, if you plan on working in a hospital its gonna be hard, ecspecially if your in peds. Your gonna see things that are going to be difficult to deal with. Emotionally you have to prepare yourself for some difficult situations.Im not trying to rain on your parade but you have to take the good with the bad hon. Ive cried a few times, its normal. If you want to work in peds, maybe its a good idea to start in a office , not a hospital. You wont get paid as much but its a great learning experience. Plus the hours are better ( their are very few peds offices that do overnight appts.)And remember you have a long time to pick a nursing feild, so dont stress about it now. When you do your internship at your local hospital, you will be able to try out a few different aspects of nursing. So best of luck girl, follow your dreams!