By
eHow Careers & Work Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- Pass Certified Pediatric Nurse Exam
- Nursing degree
Step1
Earn your certification as registered nurse or earn a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, or BSN. Requirements vary by state, so you'll want to consult your state board of nursing for regulations in the area where you live.
Step2
Sit for and pass the certification exam administered by your state. You must complete all academic course work before you can sit for the exam, which can be an Associate degree or a Bachelor's degree.
Step3
Get a job in a hospital with a pediatrics department or in a clinical setting where pediatric patients are cared for. Most nursing schools do not have a specialized degree in pediatrics, so it isn't until you enter the field that you can actually become a specialized pediatric nurse.
Step4
Enroll in a pediatric internship program at the hospital or clinic where you work to get an in-depth look at the field firsthand. It is in this position that you will learn the specific skills necessary to become a pediatric nurse. You can expect to spend 3 months to 1 year in an internship, although no set time is standard in this field.
Step5
Take classes that will augment your pediatric medical training while in college. Child psychology classes will help you learn to communicate with sick children and family psychology classes can help you learn to communicate effectively with frightened parents.
Step6
Graduate nursing school, complete your internship or other specialized training, then sit for the Certified Pediatric Nurse Exam. The CPN can be taken once you've gotten the classroom education and on-the-job training required for a career in pediatrics.
Step7
Get advanced training by taking courses from the American Heart Association like Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
Step8
Attend conferences and seminars regularly to keep abreast of the latest developments in pediatric care and medical technology.
Step9
Join professional organizations for pediatric specialists such as the Society for Pediatric Nurses (see Resources below).