Pediatric Nurse
We are biologically programmed to protect our children. There is no one more vulnerable than a baby in their first few years of life. With young children, often not yet able to speak, comforting them while they are sick can be a bittersweet experience. This is why the pediatric nurse career can be so rewarding. As a pediatric nurse you will be in a career that is in high demand, well paid and highly respected.
Pediatric nurses spend their days tending to ill children. Sometimes it can be a simple cold or nervous parents worried about their fussy babies, at other times you will tend to very ill children that need to be cared for medically as well as emotionally. Because of this, expect a stressful and emotional job. You should expect heartbreaking days, but this is balanced by constant heartwarming moments and knowing when your shift is over that you are making a difference, not just in the lives of the children, but of the parents and family members.
To enter this career you will need to start with a bachelor’s in nursing followed by a master’s degree. With a bachelor’s you should be able to enter the field as a nurse, but to become a pediatric nurse you will need to spend the extra time to specialize with a master’s. This field can see an income ranging from the mid five-figure to entry-level six-figure salaries.
Where you work is up to you. You will have the option to work in a family practice, general hospital or even specialized children’s hospitals. While the time you spend in school will be an investment, this should show how worth it this career can be. Your options are limitless. Pediatric nurses work a variety of shifts based on their place of business. You may work three or four 12-hour shifts, or you may work 9-5 Monday through Friday. This will vary based on where you work and will affect your income. So spend your time thinking where you wish to work and see if there are extra classes to give you an edge.
Going to College Online
Many students use their busy schedule as an excuse to delay going to college, which is often a very valid excuse. These days it is much easier to get your degree thanks to online degree programs. With online degree programs your schedule is not set in the same way as traditional degree programs. You will still have due dates for assignments, tests or quizzes, but when you study and listen or read lectures is mainly up to you.
Most schools now offer some form of online study, while many schools offer entirely online degree programs. With some research and legwork you should find the perfect school for you. The option remains to start in a community college and transfer to a university (traditional or online) as well as starting with a university without the need to transfer. If you go with the former, ensure that the school you transfer to will accept the credits you accrue in your community college courses. Many students will tell you, the first step in going to college is often the hardest, once you take it, the rest will fly by and you will quickly be in the career of your dreams. Get started on your career as a pediatric nurse today!
