Why Pediatric Nursing is a Rewarding Career

Treating children, teens, and infants for various illnesses isn't for everyone, but those who pursue a career as a travel peds nurse find it to be the most rewarding career choice a nurse can make. Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health encourages travel nurses to achieve their ideal career of traveling the country while still treating some of the youngest patients. If you're considering transitioning your peds nurse job to a travel nursing career, understanding the pediatric nurse benefits will put you on the right path.

Understanding the Field of Pediatric Nursing

Pediatric nursing is a specialized field focused on providing care for infants, children, teens, and young adults. Peds nurses work with pediatricians and other healthcare professionals to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of health conditions in pediatric patients. They have special skills in caring for newborns, administering immunizations, managing chronic illnesses like asthma and diabetes, and providing rehabilitation services.

Travel pediatric nurses work in various settings, including hospitals, hospital pediatric ICUs, clinics, schools as a school nurse, and pediatric home care. A lot of what you do in a typical day as a travel pediatric nurse depends on the pediatric specialty. Their duties vary by environment but often include:

• Monitoring vital signs
• Medication administration and treatment
• Assisting with various medical procedures
• Educating patients and family members
• Providing emotional support
• Charting

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Why Pediatric Nursing is a Rewarding Profession

Ability to Make a Difference

Travel pediatric nurses are in a unique position where they can make a huge difference in the lives of their patients and their loved ones. They get to develop meaningful relationships with their patients and have a profound impact. Their skilled care during formative years helps set children on the path to healthier futures.

Nurses gain deep gratification in witnessing patients recover, managing complex cases, and supporting families through challenges. Their ability to ease suffering and improve quality of life is incredibly rewarding for most travel nurses.

The bonds they form with children and families motivate them in their work. Knowing they make a tangible difference through clinical expertise and compassion brings excellent purpose.

Potential for Personal and Professional Growth

A career in travel pediatric nursing provides opportunities for ongoing education, advancement, and specialization. Many nurses pursue advanced certifications to gain expertise. A common one is becoming a certified pediatric nurse. Being a certified pediatric nurse will significantly increase your appeal to employers as you apply for travel assignments.

They can climb the clinical ladder to roles with greater responsibility and status as charge nurses or nurse managers. Others move into administrative positions to affect change through policy. Pediatric nursing allows professionals to follow their passion for working with children. The field promotes personal development through sharpening skills in trauma care, chronic disease management, and more.

Preparing for a Prolific Career in Pediatric Nursing

Pediatric travel nursing is a rewarding career path for those who desire to impact children's health positively. They work directly with infants, children, teens, and families to provide compassionate care and support. To prepare for a prolific career as a pediatric travel nurse, it is important to understand the necessary education and training, helpful tips and advice, and opportunities for continuous learning and development.

Pediatric nurses have the privilege of caring for young patients during critical developmental stages. If you are drawn to caring for kids and have patience and strong communication skills, a pediatric nursing career may be an excellent choice.

Necessary Education and Training

Proper education and training are required to become a pediatric travel nurse. Typically, you must earn either an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN takes two years, and a BSN takes four years to complete at an accredited nursing program.

Coursework will cover topics like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, pharmacology, evidence-based practice, and more. Clinical rotations expose you to various healthcare settings where you gain hands-on experience.

After graduating, you must take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to earn your nursing license.

Advocacy for Children’s Health Issues

Beyond direct patient care, a peds nurse advocates for the well-being of all children. Whether it's on a larger stage or just within hospital walls, they can advocate for things such as:

• Access to health services, insurance coverage, and affordable medications.
• Quality of children's hospitals, ERs, clinics, and NICUs.
• Safe environments - reducing accidents, injury risks, violence, bullying, etc.
• Health equity for disadvantaged, minority, and special needs children.
• Nutrition, breastfeeding support, food security.
• Disease prevention through vaccines, screenings, and hygiene.
• Regulations for pediatric testing/approval for devices and drugs.
• Mental health, substance abuse, smoking cessation initiatives.
• Funding for research and public health programs benefiting kids.

Achieve Your Dream Career as a Pediatric Travel Nurse With Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health

Dedicating your life to traveling the country while helping others is an honorable and rewarding career path, especially when working in pediatrics. As a nurse-nominated top 10 travel nurse agency, Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health is passionate about helping nurses start and succeed in their travel pediatric nurse careers.

Partnering with us will provide you with an abundance of benefits that are designed to help you grow your travel nursing career. Our caring recruiters know the importance of what you do and want to help you find travel positions that reflect your career goals. Some benefits we offer travel nurses are:

• A Full Circle of Support
• Personalized job postings that suit your experience, education, and career goals
• Career Coaching
• Support from a QIN-Led Team
• Clinical Ladder and Work Study programs
• Comprehensive health and wellness plans

Check out On Demand, our powerful web app, where you can search and apply for pediatric travel nurse jobs nationwide.

FAQs

What is the most rewarding part of being a travel pediatric nurse?

The most rewarding part of being a travel pediatric nurse is the profound impact you have on the lives of children and their families, nurturing their health, well-being, and recovery during vulnerable times. It is deeply fulfilling to witness the resilience of children as they heal, alongside the opportunity to provide comfort, education, and support to their families in navigating their healthcare journeys.

Why do people choose pediatric nursing?

People choose pediatric nursing because of their passion for working with children and making a significant difference in young lives. It offers the unique opportunity to support not only the child's health but also to play a vital role in the family's overall well-being during challenging times.