Suitable Pediatric Nurse

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I'm weighing my options of becoming a nurse eventually and if I do plan to go this route (which I do think I will because it feels much better than anything else I've thought of), I'd want to be a pediatric nurse. Do you all have any qualities that you think a pediatric nurse should have? My family and friends agree that I'd be a good fit, but I'd like to hear from those in the field.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

The most important trait a pediatric nurse can have is patience. Patience for your patients and for their families. Having a child in the hospital, no matter how minor the reason for the admission, may just be the most traumatic experience in their lives to date. Little kids can try the patience of a saint so it's really important to be able to just wait them out. They also are much more in tune with people's emotions and anxieties than you'd ever believe. If you can stay calm while a toddler is screaming like you're killing him and swinging all his limbs at you, that's half the battle. You have to believe in your own abilities to manage their behaviour so they'll believe in them too. Pay attention in your growth and development classes so you know which words NEVER to use when preparing a kid for something you're going to do. And always use ALL of your resources, including the ones called mom and dad.

Another useful tip is to keep up with pop culture references. You've gotta know who Dora and Diego are, what singers are on the pop charts and which superheroes are lighting up the big screen.

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.

And never tell a child that something you know is going to hurt won't hurt a bit. You will lose whatever trust you've built up.

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Poppycat-Yeah, I hate when people tell me "No, it doesn't hurt" just for it to hurt. If they ask, I'd certainly say "Well, for me it doesn't hurt that much" or tell them that the pain will be very temporary (assuming it is). I don't like lying to children or anyone as a way to reassure.

NotReady4PrimeTime-Very good post. I'm a very patient, compassionate person, which is why I'm not pushing away from wanting to be a pediatric nurse. I don't make children scream and run so at least I have that too. Lol.

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