What does a Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse Do?
Job Descriptions August 19, 2013Pediatric endocrinology nurse deals with hormones and issues concerning the endocrine glands in children, which includes a diabetic child. A pediatric endocrinology nurse may find employment in a hospital, pediatrician’s office, or clinic.
Duties of a Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse
The duties of a pediatric endocrinology nurse involve working alongside the physician and other medical personnel. The pediatric endocrinology nurse will work with children with various health problems, including diabetes, development disorders, delayed growth, hypoglycemia, pituitary and thyroid disorders, adrenal issues, and endocrine abnormalities. The pediatric nurse will generally care for children from birth to approximately 18 years of age, and maybe even older. The pediatric endocrinology nurse will educate parents on how to best deal with their child’s condition, including nutrition and medication issues. They will also include the child in on this teaching depending on the age of the child. They will perform vital signs and other basic health assessments on the child. They may even draw blood for required lab work. The nurse will often work with the pediatrician to come up with a plan of action in how to best treat the child for their specified condition. The child will be monitored closely by both the physician and nurse.
Educational Requirements of a Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse
Becoming a registered nurse requires you to have a diploma or a two-year degree, as well as passing the required state board exams for the particular state that you will be practicing in. The college that the future nurse attends must be accredited. The nurse may also be required to have a four-year degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing for certain types of employment. The state board exam is known as the NCLEX-RN, which stands for National Council Licensure Examination. For those who are planning to work in this particular field, courses geared toward that, such as diabetes, endocrinology, pediatrics, and internal medicine can be taken. There are certification programs to become a diabetic nurse educator that will also be beneficial when pursuing this type of career.
Overall Outlook of the Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse
As it has always been, the health care field is booming. People do not stop getting ill and they need the human touch to care for them. The field of nursing continues to grow, and opportunities in this field are numerous. Since the pediatric endocrinology nurse is a highly specialized field, the salary will be better than most in the nursing industry. This always depends on what part of the world you are employed in, but a competitive salary should be expected. This will also depend on what type of facility you will be employed at. As in most health professions, great benefits will likely be included as well. Landing a job in the nursing industry should not be difficult in the least bit.
