A pediatric nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in caring for infants, children and teenagers, usually from birth to around age 18 (and sometimes into the early 20s). Pediatric nurses give medications calculated by weight, calm scared kids through shots and IVs, spot illness in patients who cannot always explain how they feel and partner with parents in every part of care. They work everywhere children get care, from pediatrician offices and schools to children's hospitals, PICUs and pediatric emergency departments.
This guide covers what pediatric nurses do, where they work, pediatric vital signs, how nurses assess pain in kids (including the FLACC scale), PICU nursing, how to become a pediatric nurse, CPN certification, salary, pediatric nurse practitioners, child life specialists and how to celebrate pediatric nurses during Pediatric Nurses Week.
In this guide
- What is a pediatric nurse?
- What does a pediatric nurse do?
- Where do pediatric nurses work?
- Pediatric vital signs by age
- Pain assessment in kids (FLACC and FACES)
- What is a PICU nurse?
- How to become a pediatric nurse
- CPN certification
- How much do pediatric nurses make?
- Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNP and CPNP)
- Pediatric nurse vs child life specialist
- What is it like to be a pediatric nurse?
- A short history of pediatric nursing
- When is Pediatric Nurses Week?
- Gifts for pediatric nurses
- Pediatric nurse humor
- Frequently asked questions
What is a pediatric nurse?
Pediatric nursing is the nursing specialty focused on children's health. Kids are not just small adults: their bodies, medication doses, normal vital signs, illnesses and emotional needs all change as they grow. A pediatric nurse knows how to care for a 3-month-old with bronchiolitis, a 6-year-old with a broken arm and a 16-year-old with type 1 diabetes, often in the same shift.
Pediatric nurses also care for the whole family. Parents and caregivers are part of the care team, and helping them understand what is happening, stay calm and learn to care for their child at home is a huge part of the job.
What does a pediatric nurse do?
Common pediatric nurse duties include:
- Assessments: checking vital signs, growth, development, breathing, hydration and pain, and recognizing when a child is getting sicker, which can happen quickly
- Weight-based medications: calculating and double-checking doses based on the child's weight in kilograms
- IVs, labs and procedures: starting IVs and drawing blood on small, wiggly patients, often with help from distraction techniques
- Immunizations: giving vaccines and teaching families about the vaccine schedule
- Family education: teaching parents about medications, feeding, fevers, asthma action plans, diabetes care and when to call the doctor
- Comfort and distraction: using play, bubbles, videos and simple explanations to help kids cope
- Developmental care: tailoring how they talk and explain things to each child's age
- Advocacy and safety: recognizing signs of abuse or neglect and following mandatory reporting laws
Where do pediatric nurses work?
- Children's hospitals and pediatric units: caring for kids with infections, surgeries, asthma, diabetes and more
- PICU (pediatric intensive care unit): critically ill and injured children (more below)
- Pediatric emergency departments: children's ERs and pediatric areas in general ERs (see our ER nurse guide)
- Pediatric oncology: kids with cancer, including chemotherapy and long-term treatment
- Pediatrician offices and clinics: well-child visits, vaccines, sick visits and phone triage
- Pediatric home health: caring for medically complex kids at home, often with trachs, ventilators or feeding tubes (see our home health nurse guide)
- Schools and camps: school nurses and camp nurses care for kids where they learn and play
- Specialty clinics: cardiology, endocrinology, neurology, pulmonology and more
Babies who need intensive care right after birth are usually cared for in the NICU. Read our NICU nurse guide to learn how neonatal nursing differs from general pediatrics.
Pediatric vital signs by age
Normal vital signs change a lot as children grow. Babies have much faster heart and breathing rates than adults. These are approximate normal ranges for awake children, based on the American Heart Association's Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) references. Ranges vary slightly by source, and nurses always interpret vitals alongside how the child looks and acts.
| Age | Heart rate (beats per minute) | Respiratory rate (breaths per minute) |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (birth to 1 month) | About 100 to 205 | About 30 to 53 |
| Infant (1 to 12 months) | About 100 to 180 | About 30 to 53 |
| Toddler (1 to 2 years) | About 98 to 140 | About 22 to 37 |
| Preschool (3 to 5 years) | About 80 to 120 | About 20 to 28 |
| School age (6 to 11 years) | About 75 to 118 | About 18 to 25 |
| Adolescent (12 to 15+ years) | About 60 to 100 | About 12 to 20 |
For education only. Parents with concerns about a child's breathing, heart rate or behavior should contact their child's health care provider or call 911 in an emergency.
Pain assessment in kids (FLACC and FACES)
Young children often cannot rate their pain on a 0-to-10 scale, so pediatric nurses use age-appropriate tools:
-
FLACC scale: used for infants and young children (generally about 2 months to 7 years) and for children who cannot talk. The nurse scores five behaviors from 0 to 2 each, for a total of 0 to 10:
- Face: relaxed, occasional grimace or constant frown and clenched jaw
- Legs: relaxed, restless or kicking and drawn up
- Activity: lying quietly, squirming or arched and rigid
- Cry: no cry, moaning or whimpering, or crying steadily
- Consolability: content, reassured by touch or hard to comfort
- Wong-Baker FACES scale: children (usually age 3 and up) point to the cartoon face that matches how they feel, from a smiling "no hurt" face to a crying "hurts worst" face.
- Numeric scale: older children and teens can usually use the standard 0-to-10 scale.
What is a PICU nurse?
A PICU nurse is a pediatric critical care nurse who works in the pediatric intensive care unit, caring for critically ill and injured children. PICU patients might have severe respiratory infections, sepsis, traumatic injuries, heart problems or complications after surgery. PICU nurses usually care for one or two patients at a time and manage ventilators, IV drips, arterial lines and advanced monitoring, all while supporting frightened families at the bedside.
Many PICU nurses earn the CCRN (Pediatric) certification from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Explore our ICU collection for critical care gifts.
How to become a pediatric nurse
Most pediatric nurses need two to four years of school to become an RN. Here is the typical path:
- Earn a nursing degree. An associate degree in nursing (ADN) takes about two years, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes about four. Many children's hospitals prefer or require a BSN.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN and get your registered nurse license.
- Get pediatric experience. Many children's hospitals hire new graduates into pediatric residency programs. A pediatric clinical rotation, externship or job as a pediatric nurse tech helps a lot.
- Get BLS and PALS certified. Pediatric Advanced Life Support is required on most pediatric units.
- Earn the CPN once you have enough pediatric experience.
- Consider advancing to PICU, pediatric ER, charge nurse or pediatric nurse practitioner roles.
Tips for getting hired: highlight any experience with children (camps, coaching, child care or babysitting), request a pediatric preceptorship in school and apply to children's hospitals with new graduate residency programs.
CPN certification
The CPN (Certified Pediatric Nurse) is the main certification for pediatric nurses. It is offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
- Eligibility: a current RN license plus pediatric clinical experience. PNCB's most common pathway requires at least 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical experience within the past 24 months. A second pathway is available for nurses with five or more years of pediatric experience. Check PNCB for current requirements.
- What it covers: health promotion, assessment, illness management and caring for children and families across ages and settings.
- Other pediatric certifications: CCRN (Pediatric) for PICU nurses, CPEN for pediatric emergency nurses and CPHON for pediatric hematology and oncology nurses.
How much do pediatric nurses make?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a separate salary for pediatric nurses, because it groups them with all registered nurses. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550 in May 2025, according to the BLS.
Pediatric nurse pay depends on:
- Setting: children's hospitals and PICUs often pay more than clinics and pediatrician offices, while offices usually offer daytime hours.
- Location: pay varies widely by state and city.
- Shift differentials: nights, weekends and holidays usually pay extra in hospitals.
- Certification and education: many hospitals pay more for a BSN or the CPN.
- Specialty and role: PICU, pediatric ER, oncology and charge nurse roles often pay more.
Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNP and CPNP)
A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) is an advanced practice nurse who diagnoses and treats children, orders tests, prescribes medications and often serves as a child's main health care provider. There are two types, each certified by PNCB:
- CPNP-PC (primary care): well-child visits, sick visits, chronic conditions and prevention in pediatric offices and clinics
- CPNP-AC (acute care): hospitalized, acutely ill and critically ill children in children's hospitals, PICUs and specialty services
Becoming a PNP requires a master's or doctoral degree from a pediatric nurse practitioner program, and most programs want pediatric nursing experience first. BLS does not report PNP pay separately, but nurse practitioners overall earned a median of $132,300 in May 2025. Read our complete guide to nurse practitioners.
Pediatric nurse vs child life specialist
Pediatric nurses work closely with child life specialists, but the roles are different:
- Pediatric nurse: a licensed RN who provides medical care, gives medications, performs procedures and monitors the child's health.
- Child life specialist: a trained professional (not a nurse) who helps children cope with hospital stays and procedures through play, preparation and emotional support. Many hold the CCLS (Certified Child Life Specialist) credential from the Association of Child Life Professionals.
When a child needs a scary procedure, the nurse and child life specialist often team up: the child life specialist prepares and distracts while the nurse does the medical part.
What is it like to be a pediatric nurse?
Pediatric nurses say it is one of the most joyful and most challenging specialties in nursing:
- The best parts: kids are resilient, honest and funny. They bounce back fast, and helping a sick child go home healthy is incredibly rewarding.
- The hard parts: caring for seriously ill or injured children, supporting anxious parents and handling cases of abuse or neglect can be emotionally heavy.
- The skills: precise medication math, creative communication and patience. A lot of patience.
A short history of pediatric nursing
- 1802: the Hôpital des Enfants Malades opens in Paris, one of the first hospitals dedicated to children.
- 1852: the Hospital for Sick Children on Great Ormond Street opens in London, and trained nurses become central to its care.
- 1855: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia opens as the first hospital in the United States devoted to children.
- Early 1900s: nurses lead public health work to lower infant and child deaths, from clean milk campaigns to school nursing.
- 1950s and 1960s: hospitals begin allowing parents to stay with their children, and family-centered care becomes a core part of pediatric nursing.
- 1975: the organization that became today's Pediatric Nursing Certification Board begins certifying pediatric nurses and nurse practitioners.
- 1990: the Society of Pediatric Nurses is founded.
- Today: childhood vaccines, advances in pediatric critical care and family-centered nursing have made serious childhood illness far more survivable than ever before.
When is Pediatric Nurses Week?
Pediatric Nurses Week is celebrated every October by the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN). In 2026, it runs from October 5 to 9. The week honors pediatric nurses' contributions to children, families and communities, and many hospitals celebrate with events and the hashtag #ProudPediatricNurse.
Pediatric Nurses Week ideas
- Share thank-you drawings from patients (with permission) on a unit display.
- Bring in kid-friendly treats for the staff, like a cereal bar, cupcakes or a popsicle break.
- Host a themed dress-up day, such as superhero scrubs or favorite cartoon characters.
- Give awards like "Best IV Stick on a Toddler," "Bubble Blowing Champion" and "Calmest Under a Tantrum."
- Sponsor CPN exam fees or SPN memberships.
- Recognize child life specialists, techs and unit clerks too.
Gifts for pediatric nurses
Whether it is for Pediatric Nurses Week, a nursing school graduate headed to peds or a thank-you from a grateful family, here are a few favorites from our pediatric collection:
For the nurses who can translate a two-year-old's scream into a full assessment. $29.99
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A sweet thank-you from a grateful family, or a Pediatric Nurses Week gift for the whole unit. $15.99
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For weight-based dosing notes, CPN study sessions or a new peds residency. $17.99
Shop now →Looking for more ideas? See our full list of 21 funny pediatric nurse gifts that actually get the job.
Pediatric nurse humor
- "I speak fluent toddler." (Also a sticker.)
- "Professional tiny-human wrangler." (We made that a sticker too.)
- "My patients bite. Their parents Google."
- "Yes, I'll put a sticker on your bandage. Yes, I'll put one on your teddy bear too."
- "Nothing humbles you like losing an argument with a four-year-old about taking medicine."
- "My pockets contain stickers, bubbles and a small army of plastic dinosaurs."
Frequently asked questions
What does a pediatric nurse do?
Pediatric nurses care for infants, children and teens. They assess patients, give weight-based medications, start IVs, give vaccines, monitor for changes, comfort children during procedures and teach families how to care for their child.
How long does it take to become a pediatric nurse?
It usually takes two to four years to earn a nursing degree and pass the NCLEX-RN. Many pediatric nurses start in pediatrics right after graduation, and certification (CPN) requires additional pediatric clinical experience.
How much do pediatric nurses make?
BLS does not report pediatric nurse pay separately. Registered nurses overall earned a median of $97,550 in May 2025. Pediatric nurse pay varies by setting, location, shift, experience and certification.
What is the CPN certification?
The CPN (Certified Pediatric Nurse) is the main pediatric nursing certification, offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. Its most common pathway requires an RN license and at least 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical experience within the past 24 months.
What is a PICU nurse?
A PICU nurse works in the pediatric intensive care unit, caring for critically ill and injured children. PICU nurses manage ventilators, IV drips and advanced monitoring, usually for one or two patients at a time.
What is the difference between a pediatric nurse and a pediatric nurse practitioner?
A pediatric nurse is a registered nurse who provides care under a provider's orders. A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) is an advanced practice nurse with a graduate degree who diagnoses, treats and prescribes, often as a child's main provider.
What is the FLACC scale?
The FLACC scale is a pain assessment tool for infants, young children and nonverbal patients. Nurses score face, legs, activity, cry and consolability from 0 to 2 each, for a total pain score of 0 to 10.
When is Pediatric Nurses Week?
Pediatric Nurses Week is celebrated every October by the Society of Pediatric Nurses. In 2026, it runs October 5 to 9.
Exploring other specialties? See our full guide to nurse specialties and the types of nurses.
Celebrate the pediatric nurses in your life
For Pediatric Nurses Week, a new CPN or the nurse who made your child smile through a scary day.
Shop the Pediatric Collection →Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses
- Society of Pediatric Nurses, Pediatric Nurses Week
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), CPN, CPNP-PC and CPNP-AC certification information
- American Heart Association, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Provider Manual, normal vital sign references
- Merkel S. et al., The FLACC: A Behavioral Scale for Scoring Postoperative Pain in Young Children, Pediatric Nursing (1997)
- Association of Child Life Professionals, Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, History