American’s Got Nurses Interview Article – Pediatric Nurse

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Nurses who chose to specialize as a pediatric nurse can be employed in a wide variety of settings, including doctor’s offices, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), pediatric oncology, pediatric surgery or a variety of specialty hospitals and facilities. New nurses may find it very hard to enter this specialty directly after graduation; however, internships and special integration programs can increase their chances of being hired.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a nurse who chooses to specialize has to go through additional training. Pediatrics would concentrate on child development, child psychology and other related education. The median salary for a registered nurse is around $65,000 per year, but those who specialize can make much more.

Sample Questions for Pediatric Nurse Interview

In an article from Working Nurse titled, forming a Special Bond with Young Patients and Their Families, when asked, “What fuels your passion?” Zulema Vega, RN at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles stated, “Pediatrics is truly rewarding in that we have kids on the unit who often have chronic debilitating conditions and they always find a way to smile and play no matter how hard it gets.”

Emma Sandhu, RN, BSN a pediatric charge nurse with Children’s Hospital of Orange County stated in an article titled, Pediatric Nursing: Interview with Emma Sandhu, RN, BSN, “You cannot be afraid to talk to, play with, hug and interact with these children and their families.”

Melnic Consulting Group listed some sample questions that would be asked at a pediatric nurse interview. The questions usually start by asking why you chose to specialize in pediatric nursing.

•What type of qualifications and training do you have?
•Why should we select you?
•What are your greatest strengths?
•What are you greatest weaknesses?
•How would you handle behavioral problems with a child under your care?
•What would you do if you suspected child abuse?
•Why are you interested in working in our facility?
•How do you handle stress and many more?

You can look at other sites to find more lists of questions that may be asked during a pediatric nursing interview.

Nurses and Children

Nursing is a delicate balance of qualities and education and skills when dealing with people and illnesses. Children are resilient and a lot stronger than many of us think. As a nurse, you are not only supporting other members of the medical team, but you are the support to these children and their families and friends. A nurse works directly and closely caring for their patients and a bond will develop.

Some of the patients are only there for a few days while others may be there for months or even years. The medical staff will know some of the patients for years on end, so creating bonds is inevitable and a privilege. Nurses are special people who have been given skills that not everyone possesses. This is not an ideal profession for everyone, but for sociable and sincere people who love to work with children, it is indeed a promise career venue.