Nursing is an exciting and rewarding career no matter your speciality, but having the chance to work with children can make your career as a nurse even more thrilling. Children often have a way of brightening your day, whether it is with their sweet smiles or amusing words. Working among little ones can make even the longest shifts a lot more pleasant. Therefore, consider the variety of nursing speciality programs you can pursue if you enjoy working with children. Below are but a few of the specialities that focus on children.
1. Camp nurse - You loved going to camp as a child, so you'll likely enjoy working at one as a camp nurse. This nursing speciality allows you to provide medical care to people attending retreats and camps. Nurses who enjoy working with kids can work at both traditional summer camps and speciality programs like sports or academic camps. In this setting you might be required to treat bug bites and poison ivy infections as well as bumps, bruises and campfire burns. You will likely also provide care to the adults who work as part of the camp staff.
2. School nurse - School nurses can work in many settings, from elementary schools to universities. You will be responsible for health screenings and tests, and must be able to provide first-aid to students. You will also likely be the first person called in case of any medical emergency on school grounds, so you must be able to respond quickly and efficiently in high stress situations.
3. Pediatric nurse - Pediatric nurses often have the unique opportunity to see a child grow from infancy to adulthood. In this speciality, you will conduct routine check-ups for children and administer immunizations. To prepare for this career, take courses in child health during nursing school. After getting experience as an RN, you can get your Pediatric Nursing certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
4. Perinatal nurse - This nursing speciality will allow you to assist women during pregnancy and provide care to newborn babies. Being able to care for a baby right after he or she has been born is a unique experience that most healthcare professionals are not exposed to. This requires a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Perinatal nursing certification.
5. Neonatal Intensive Care nurse - Another nursing speciality that involves caring for infants is Neonatal Intensive Care nursing. These nurses care for critically ill and premature newborns by monitoring their progress and administering medications, among other responsibilities. After clinical experience, you can get your Critical Care Neonatal certificate.
1. Camp nurse - You loved going to camp as a child, so you'll likely enjoy working at one as a camp nurse. This nursing speciality allows you to provide medical care to people attending retreats and camps. Nurses who enjoy working with kids can work at both traditional summer camps and speciality programs like sports or academic camps. In this setting you might be required to treat bug bites and poison ivy infections as well as bumps, bruises and campfire burns. You will likely also provide care to the adults who work as part of the camp staff.
2. School nurse - School nurses can work in many settings, from elementary schools to universities. You will be responsible for health screenings and tests, and must be able to provide first-aid to students. You will also likely be the first person called in case of any medical emergency on school grounds, so you must be able to respond quickly and efficiently in high stress situations.
3. Pediatric nurse - Pediatric nurses often have the unique opportunity to see a child grow from infancy to adulthood. In this speciality, you will conduct routine check-ups for children and administer immunizations. To prepare for this career, take courses in child health during nursing school. After getting experience as an RN, you can get your Pediatric Nursing certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
4. Perinatal nurse - This nursing speciality will allow you to assist women during pregnancy and provide care to newborn babies. Being able to care for a baby right after he or she has been born is a unique experience that most healthcare professionals are not exposed to. This requires a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Perinatal nursing certification.
5. Neonatal Intensive Care nurse - Another nursing speciality that involves caring for infants is Neonatal Intensive Care nursing. These nurses care for critically ill and premature newborns by monitoring their progress and administering medications, among other responsibilities. After clinical experience, you can get your Critical Care Neonatal certificate.
