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Hi, im ashlee, im thinking about becoming a pediatric nurse. I need help decided what college would be best for me. im so confused. :/ should it be online or no? what degree do you need to have to be a pediatric nurse? i have so many questions!! help please!! thank you!

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Hi, im ashlee, im thinking about becoming a pediatric nurse. I need help decided what college would be best for me. im so confused. :/ should it be online or no? what degree do you need to have to be a pediatric nurse? i have so many questions!! help please!! thank you!

An RN will allow you to work with children, which can be obtained from a 4 year college (BSN program, a 2 year college (associate's degree), or a hospital based diploma program (typically 2-3 years). The route you take is up to you and depends alot on what's available in the area you live and how much you are willing to spend. Associate programs are typically the least expensive, while BSN's are more expensive (but you are getting 2 more years of education).

Typically to do an on-line RN you need to have at least an LPN. I'm not aware of any programs that allow someone with no medical background to enroll in on-line nursing classes.

Please understand that with the current glut of new nurses you may find it harder to get a job in pediatrics. However, if you are willing to relocate as necessary, that can increase your chances.

Good luck

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You will have a better chance of working in pediatrics with a BSN. Children's by me only hires BSN's, although it may be different where you live.

You cannot do this online. You can never get a nursing degree 100% online because you have to do clinicals in person. ChristineN is correct that after you become an LPN (if you want to go that route) you can do your LPN-RN online, but you will still have to show up for clinical in person.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

Christine and happy2learn gave you some great answers! I'd like to add that you may consider being a nursing assistant and getting certification. The title is CNA. You'll have many pre reqs to take before actually applying to a nursing school. Being a CNA or tech will allow you to work in the field while attending school. Maybe you could work in a clinic or hospital while in school and this would give you foot in the door after graduation. Good luck!

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Hospice does make a good point. Children's by me only hires PCA's. I know every state is different in requirements (some hire PCA's, other hire CNA's), but in order to be a PCA/PCT you have to take another course outside of the CNA. It may be something you want to look into. Where I live (OH), CNA's only work in LTC's.

I do know that if you work at Children's as a PCA, they will do tuition reimbursement.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/Onc.

I don't know your family situation, but if you have parental support for school, I say go for your BSN. The other degrees make great nurses, but you're young and I'm assuming that you don't have any kids, etc. If your parents are helping you go to college (whether with tuition or letting you live at home) take advantage and get the highest degree you can. It's much tougher to go back later and get it later when you have rent to pay, kids to support, etc.

If you are in a situation where you need to get a job asap, then a 2 year program might be the best option and that is understandible. And try to work as an aide regardless as the others have said.

LPN, ADN, diploma programs can give you a good education, but your future will hold more options if you have the BSN. And as others have said the more specialized you are as a nurse (peds is a specialty) the better chance they'll want a BSN anyway.

And no...don't do it on line. On line school is for people who are already out there working in the field. You can't get the hands-on experience you need through on-line.

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Do not get into nursing because of the "shortage" hype. There is no shortage of nurses only a shortage of jobs for them. A job in pediatrics will be especiallly hard to get. Getting a job in peds first prior to getting your nursing degree wil mkae yo more likely to get into peds. Otherwise you may go all through nursing school and find out the only jobs you can get are in nursing homes. And someone needs to tell that once you get an RN the lower level jobs are no longer available to you so no more getting your foot in the door. Wish someone had told me that.

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Hi Ashlee, my daughter just graduated from high school and I found out that they offered an LPN program which starts in junior year. I wish she was interested. So just saying that some high schools are offering this program, which was not offered 15 years ago when I graduated. Whatever your decision good luck in all future endeavors.:)

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

After you have earned your RN, you can become a certified pediatric nurse. You would have to work so many total hours on a pediatric unit or with children. Good luck to you.

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thank you all for the wonderful addvise!! :) I plan going to a 4 year college, BSN. i really hope i get to become one! i really just want to be able to move my way up and work in the icu of a childrens hospital, if i can do that. lol

:)

but thank you all very much!

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