The Pediatric Care Center

Pediatric facilities specialize in the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. Their primary goal is to offer comprehensive health services tailored to the specific needs of young patients, from birth through adolescence. They typically provide preventive care, acute treatment, and rehabilitation services.

Pediatric care facilities overview

Pediatric facilities exhibit a variety of characteristics and operational details that differentiate them from general healthcare settings. For example:

• Levels of care: Pediatric facilities can include outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, specialty hospitals, and general pediatric hospitals, offering varying levels of care based on patient needs.
• Type of care provided: These institutions provide acute care, transitional care, and rehabilitation services, focusing on conditions related to childhood diseases, developmental disorders, and preventative care.
• Patient population: Pediatric facilities serve children and adolescents, typically ranging in age from newborns to 21 years, with various health challenges and developmental stages.
• Staffing ratios: Pediatric facilities often maintain lower staffing ratios to ensure personalized care, with ratios typically set to supply one registered nurse (RN) for every three to five patients, depending on the complexity of care needed.‍
• Types of clinicians needed at pediatric facilities: In addition to registered nurses, pediatric facilities require pediatricians, nurse practitioners (NPs), pediatric specialists (like cardiologists or endocrinologists), occupational and physical therapists, and child psychologists.

What care services are provided at pediatric facilities?

Pediatric facilities deliver a comprehensive range of services tailored specifically for children. This includes the following:

• Preventive care: Regular check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings
• Acute care: Managing sudden illnesses or injuries, including emergency services and hospitalization
• Chronic disease management: Ongoing treatments for conditions like asthma, diabetes, or congenital disorders
• Behavioral health services: Evaluating and treating mental health issues such as anxiety, ADHD, and depression
• Therapeutic services: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy for developmental delays

Through these services, healthcare professionals play an essential role in nurturing the overall wellbeing of their young patients.

Pros and cons of working at pediatric facilities

Working in pediatric facilities comes with both advantages and challenges that professionals should consider.

Pros

1. Impactful work: Healthcare professionals in pediatric facilities can make an enormous difference in the lives of children and their families, providing hope and support during difficult times.  
2. Diverse patient encounters: Working in a pediatric facility offers exposure to a wide array of medical conditions, making the work dynamic and educational.
3. Team-oriented environment: Pediatric healthcare relies heavily on interdisciplinary teams, allowing for collaboration among various specialists and clinicians.
4. Family engagement: Professionals have the opportunity to work closely with families, helping them navigate through illnesses and healthcare processes.

Cons

1. Emotional challenges: Professionals often encounter difficult situations and high-stakes scenarios that can lead to emotional stress and burnout.
2. High demands: The need for quick decisions and responses in acute situations can be overwhelming in some cases, requiring resilience and strong clinical judgment.
3. Pediatric-specific challenges: Understanding the distinct physiological and psychological differences in children necessitates a special skill set that can take substantial time to develop.
4. Work hours: Some positions may involve unconventional hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, in order to provide continuous care.

Required qualifications to work in pediatric facilities

Healthcare professionals looking to work in pediatric facilities typically need the following qualifications:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) for RNs is commonly required, while nurse practitioners (NPs) necessitate a master's degree in nursing.
• Licenses and certifications: An active nursing license is mandatory. Additional certifications specialized in pediatrics, such as Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), can enhance professional qualifications.
• Experience: Many facilities prefer candidates with prior pediatric experience, especially for roles that require clinical assessments and independent decision-making.

How much can nurses earn working in pediatric facilities?

Nurse compensation within pediatric facilities varies widely depending on license type, location, and the specific facility. 

On average, registered nurses working in pediatric settings can expect to earn between $70,000 and $95,000 annually. 

Nurse practitioners (NPs), particularly those in specialized areas, might earn considerably more, with salaries ranging from $90,000 to over $120,000 based on experience and specialization.

Browse jobs in pediatric facilities

Healthcare professionals interested in exploring job opportunities in pediatric facilities should consider using Nursa. This resource allows clinicians to browse PRN jobs in pediatric settings, offering the flexibility to pick up shifts that suit their schedules. 

By signing up with Nursa, healthcare professionals can gain access to numerous PRN jobs and have the ability to directly connect with pediatric facilities in need of their expertise.