When someone enters the nursing profession, they quite often have a specialization in mind. As the field of medicine expands exponentially every single day, more and more of today's nurses want to refine their skills and practice in a specialization that will make them more marketable and more available to specialized centers. The field of pediatric nursing is one that is expanding all of the time, and this is in part due to the advance in medical science that is coming up with more and more cures and treatments for diseases and disorders specific to children and adolescents. Pediatric nursing is an exciting field to be in today, however, it is one of those specializations that require a unique individual, as it is less often than not, a field of glamour and excitement.

Pediatric nursing is not the walk in the park that many see it as. In fact, it is known to be one of the most difficult specializations of nursing in the medical field today. There is a significant abundance of rewards available to the practitioner in pediatric nursing as they assist children and adolescents in getting better and improving the quality of their lives. Every child is significant and every child is a reward in itself to today's pediatric nurse. However, today's pediatric nurse must meet the challenge of understanding that not every child will have a happy ending. This is quite possibly the most difficult element of pediatric nursing, and as such, it is not for everyone.

What does it take to be successful in pediatric nursing today? For starters, a degree within the specialization will be required. Depending on your location and the governing body of nurses in your area, the type of degree will vary. A nursing degree or certificate is a must, but you may need a specialized degree in pediatric nursing as an adjunct to your nursing degree. Prescription dosages, various treatments, and many other factors vary for children in comparison to adults. Babies in fact do not even have the same norms of vital signs as adults do, and thus, this education is required before you practice in pediatric nursing. Check with your local agencies and governing bodies that regulate nursing standards in your area to see what educational requirements are necessary, and if this is something that is feasible for you.

Employers of pediatric nurses will also be looking for a unique individual, and not necessarily the one that is the most educated. Compassion will be a key concern for the individual that undertakes pediatric nursing and this is not something you will be able to learn, you either have it or you don't. A unique gift of compassionate personality will be something people will generally describe about you and if you have this gift, you may make it in pediatric nursing. You need to be compassionate not just for the small little beings you are taking care of, but for their families as well. Working with families or parents of sick children is entirely different than working with families of adults, and this is a gift employers will look for. Reference letters that report this as a key component of your persona will work very well for you here.

The most obvious thing you need to have in your attitude is an enjoyment of working with children. You need to learn how to love each of your patients as if they were your own such that you can care for them in the best quality way. On the other hand, you need to be able to separate yourself from your patients with an air of objectivity that is more productive than emotional. You will run into situations yourself that are emotionally draining and difficult to see, and as a result, you need to have an inner strength that is capable of handling this.

There is no question that pediatric nursing is one of the most exciting fields to work in for today's nurse. It is quite possibly more rewarding than any other nursing specialty as well. However, the specialty of pediatric nursing does not come without an equal balance of challenges and disappointments. The pediatric nurses that shine in their fields today are those that are capable of understanding and maintaining this balance, of providing care that is compassionate and loving, but do not lose sight of the job that is required. Before you go into pediatric nursing, weight each of these elements to see if you are up to the challenge. If you are, you will be rewarded with an exciting and rewarding career.