Can't specialize if I do an ASN?

[xInspiredx]

Someone told me that if I do an Associates Degree in Nursing, then I can't become a Pediatrics Nurse.

Is this true?

How do you become a Pediatrics Nurse, since this is a specialized form of a nurse? Do you HAVE to do a BSN?

Or do you become a Pediatrics Nurse by doing a Masters?

Thank you!

[caliotter3]

You become a peds nurse by being hired to work as one. Only certain employers will place BSN or MSN requirements to work in specialties. Most do not.

[xInspiredx]

^Thanks for your reply!

So what you're saying is that I should NOT do the ASN program if I want to be a Pediatrics nurse in the future?

Could I apply for the MSN program in the future? Like after becoming a nurse for some years. What would they base my application off of then though?

Thanks again for any replies. I really appreciate them. :)

[caliotter3]

No. I am saying that your education does not play a role in an employer hiring you to work in the pediatrics department. Any RN who is hired can work in the peds department and that makes her/him a pediatric nurse. Now, to become certified as a pediatrics nurse is a different matter. Do an internet search on this site and in general for the phrase "advanced practice pediatrics nurse" or "pediatric nurse practitioner" to learn about becoming certified in peds. And worry about becoming an RN before you worry about your specialty. Getting into RN school is enough on your plate at this time, but it doesn't hurt to start learning about these things.

[happy2learn]

Children's in my area only hires BSN's, and they usually have to have experience (but that's just because of our current economic state.)

So you could get your ADN, then do the ADN-BSN route, or ADN-MSN route. You can always add on to your ADN degree at a later date.

[llg, PhD, RN]

To rephrase what the above posters are saying:

There is no rule or regulation saying that you need a BSN to work in pediatrics. However because it is such a popular specialty, employers are able to be "picky" when it comes to hiring pediatric nurses -- particularly in this current economic recession in which there are multiple applicants for every available jobs. In such conditions, some employers are favoring BSN's in their hiring practices and/or hiring only nurses with experience.

Specific hiring practice vary from employer to employer.

To become certified in any specialty (which is not required for most jobs), a person needs to have work experience in that specialty as well as meet the educational requirements to take the certification exam. Many certification exams require a BSN and some require an MSN. However, in pediatrics, you need not be certified as a pediatric nurse to practice as a pediatric nurse. All RN's are allowed to work in pediatrics. It's just a matter of what type of education your local employers prefer.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

OP, I seem to see many of your threads around here (some are similar in question). You're eager with a lot of questions, which is always good. But, I did so much research on my own, that I was able to get many of my questions answered too without starting a whole bunch of threads.

Also a tip to you is go in the "Specialty" tab up top and you may see some threads similar to yours about a specific specialty your interested in. I know they have helped me as well.