How to Become a Pediatric Nurse (2026): Education, Certification & Salary

What Does a Pediatric Nurse Do?

Pediatric nurses provide care for children from birth to age 18. In caring for children at many different stages of development, pediatric nurses should have an empathetic, listening ear and show patience as they clearly communicate diagnoses, treatment plans, and care instructions to patients and parents in a way that is easy for their patient to understand. Pediatric nursing is a perfect career for people that enjoy working with children, and the healthy salary and career prospects certainly don’t hurt.

Every day is different for pediatric nurses. Depending on where they work, they may mostly care for healthy patients throughout childhood, or they may deal with critically ill or injured patients that require specialized care and intensive treatment. Helping sick and hurt children can be very challenging, but treating patients and watching them grow can also be incredibly fulfilling.

Pediatric nurses have many career options. From hospitals to private practices to schools, pediatric nurses can work in a variety of different healthcare settings. A shortage of qualified nursing professionals is also driving demand and salaries for nurses across the country. 

Read more to learn about the day-to-day tasks of a pediatric nurse, their average salary, and what you need to do to become one.

Duties & Daily Tasks

From birth to adulthood, pediatric nurses care for children. Depending on where they work, they will encounter different types of patients. Nurses at a private practice will generally see healthy patients or those with a minor illness or injury, while nurses at a hospital will probably care for more serious issues. School nurses will mostly help children of a specific age range, while nurses in a newborn intensive care unit (NICU) will exclusively treat newborns. To thrive as a pediatric nurse, you should be able to connect and empathize with children at any stage of development. 

Pediatric registered nurse duties include:

• Assessing patients’ health
• Recording patient and family medical history
• Checking vital signs
• Administering medication
• Gathering samples from patients
• Helping pediatricians and neonatologists
• Educating patients and caregivers
• Encouraging preventative healthcare education
• Working with other healthcare providers
• Recording everything for their patients’ medical records

Pediatric nurses must be able to communicate and connect with both their patients and with their patients’ parents, guardians, or caregivers. A successful pediatric nurse should be prepared for the emotional challenges of caring for sick and injured children while providing support and comfort for the patient and their family.

Where Do Pediatric Nurses Work?

Pediatric nurses work in many different healthcare settings including hospitals, clinics, private practices, schools, and social services. Each of these settings will have different schedules and levels of care. Specialty clinics and hospital units may require additional training and certification. 

• Hospitals – General hospitals with pediatric units, children’s hospitals, and specialty hospitals all need pediatric nurses. Hospital nurses often work 12-hour shifts to provide coverage 24/7, and they usually deal with patients with more serious illnesses or injuries, especially in a unit like the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Pediatric nurses working in a hospital should be prepared to work long shifts on weekends and holidays.
• Clinics and Private Practices – Clinics and private practices generally offer a schedule more typical of business hours. Pediatric nurses in these settings will often see patients that are healthy or require less intensive care.
• Schools – School nurses work typical school hours, with summers off, and provide basic medical care like treating small wounds, administering medicine, and helping students manage conditions like diabetes or asthma.
• Social Services – Pediatric nurses working in social services will generally work with vulnerable families to coordinate care, advocate for their patients’ needs, and connect them with resources and support. 

Steps to Become a Pediatric Nurse

Step 1 – Earn Your Nursing Degree (ASN or BSN)

How long does it take to become a pediatric nurse? You’ll start with earning a degree from an accredited institution, like Joyce University. You will need an associates degree, at least, to become a nurse, but a bachelors or masters can open doors to more specialized roles and higher salaries. A good program will provide training in nursing, anatomy, biology, and more so that you’re prepared to treat patients in the real world. Fortunately, you can earn a degree and start working towards a career in pediatric nursing in as little as 20 months.

These programs can help you get started as a pediatric nurse:

• Associate of Science in Nursing – An associate’s degree is a good foundation to quickly move into a nursing career, though some employers may require additional certification for pediatric nursing. Joyce University offers ASN programs that can be completed within 20 months, or 5 semesters.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Bachelor degrees offer a comprehensive set of courses and hands-on training, providing a strong start for pediatric nurses. BSN programs can often be finished in 3-4 years, although an accelerated program can be completed in as little as 20 months.
• Masters of Science in Nursing – With a master’s degree, you can pursue more advanced roles such as a pediatric nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist, along with the increased earning potential these careers provide. RNs seeking advanced training can pursue an  MSN degree in as little as 1 year.

Step 2 – Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam & Get Licensed

After earning your nursing degree, you still have one major step to become a pediatric registered nurse: passing the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN. By completing this exam, you prove that you have the knowledge and skill to be a nurse. Your degree should prepare you for the NCLEX, but be sure to study and practice.

After the NCLEX-RN, you must secure a nursing license from your state. Each state has their own requirements that often include a background check and fingerprinting.

Step 3 – Gain Clinical Experience in Pediatric

The classroom is great, but learning on the job will prepare you for the specific challenges of pediatric nursing. While studying for your degree, consider pursuing internships, volunteer roles, or shadowing opportunities to gain work experience as a nurse. 

Once you have your degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you can work as a pediatric nurse. Look for opportunities at clinics, private practices, and hospitals that specialize in pediatric care. As you continue gaining experience, you can earn additional certifications to demonstrate your expertise and increase your earning potential.

Step 4 – Get Certified in Pediatric Nursing

As you pursue your career, additional pediatric nursing certifications can open up more opportunities, specialized roles, and better pay. There are many organizations that offer certifications to prove your expertise and experience, including:

• American Association of Critical Care Nurses – The AACN provides the critical care registered nurse (CCRNPediatric) certifications in both knowledge professional and direct care specialties. These speciality certifications show your expertise in caring for critically ill pediatric patients, a useful skill if you want to advance in a hospital or pediatric specialty unit.
• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board – The PNCB offers the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam, a high standard in pediatric nursing. This exam qualifies you as a CPN and can lead to more responsibility, advanced roles, and higher salary.

How Much Do Pediatric Nurses Make?

Pediatric nurses have similar earning potential to most registered nurses. In 2025, the average pediatric nurse salary was $76,348. More advanced roles like pediatric clinical nurse specialists make an average of $98,532. 

Salaries will vary depending on your local economy and cost of living, but pediatric nursing offers a healthy salary for most regions. The top 5 paying areas for pediatric nurses are:

• Washington – $86,471
• District of Columbia – $86,275
• New York – $83,527
• Massachusetts – $83,381
• Alaska – $82,222

Career Outlook for Pediatric Nurses

Job Demand & Growth in 2025

We always need more medical professionals, and pediatric nurses have plenty of career opportunities in the years to come. With shortages of tens of thousands of nurses expected over the next decade, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 6% growth in the employment of nurses from 2023 to 2033. That means around 194,500 job openings each year for registered nurses.

Best Specializations & Advanced Roles for Pediatric Nurses

As you continue your career as a pediatric nurse, there are countless opportunities for advancement and specialization. If you find caring for critically ill or injured patients rewarding, you can pursue a role as a pediatric emergency nurse or a career in a pediatric or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). You can also specialize in a particular field of medicine, such as pediatric cardiology, oncology, or neurology. 

With a masters degree, you can become a pediatric nurse practitioner or a pediatric clinical nurse specialist. These roles offer more responsibility and higher pay. PNPs work in both primary care and acute care to diagnose and treat patients, while CNSs offer education, consultation, and leadership to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Your Path to Becoming a Pediatric Nurse Starts Today

If you enjoy working with children and are ready for a career in pediatric nursing, you can get started right away. Joyce University has ASN, BSN, and MSN programs to prepare you for a nursing career in as little as 20 months. With convenient online classes and hands-on labs and clinicals, you’ll have the real experience to feel ready for the NCLEX-RN exam and the day-to-day responsibilities of being a nurse.