What do i need to do to become a pediatric nurse?

I was wondering what do you need to study to become a pediatric nurse?

• And how many years would it take in college, and also, what to major on in? and etc... I'm a sophomore in highschool and I would like to know. :D If you know more info and stuff than what i put up there ^^ Please do add (: Thank you !! ^_____^

• Answer:

  Well, here in the US, you can become a registered nurse by taking a few different routes: You have diploma programs which are hospital based, but these are slowly fading out. You also have the Community college route which leads to an associate's degree in nursing, and the University route goes straight to the bachelor's of science in nursing. The cheapest route (which I'm doing) is to attend a community college and get your ADN, and then work while you're studying for your BSN because a lot of hospitals will pay for your tuition. ADN and BSN nurses usually start off at about the same pay, but a BSN greatly increases your chances of moving into a managerial or administrative position. After obtaining any kind of nursing degree, it is up to you which specialty and hospital you wish to work in. You can choose pediatrics, ICU, ER, etc. Nursing school will provide a foundation for all specialties, but the real learning begins once you start working within that specialty. Take science courses while you're in high school to prepare you for the prerequisites for a nursing program. Depending on which route you take, nursing programs require that you complete at least a year or two of prerequisites to get accepted into a nursing program. These prerequisites are mostly science-based, so the earlier you start, the better. I wish I made the decision to go into nursing while I was in high school, so you're already ahead of the curve! The average RN graduate is 29 years old. Remember.. Getting accepted into a nursing program can be difficult because there are a lot of applicants! Keep your grades up (try to earn at least B's if not A's in all classes) and you should be fine! Speak with your colleges counselor about which classes you need. It's their job to help you, so make the best of it! By the time you're a nurse, our economy should be back to normal and nursing jobs will once again be overflowing! Good luck! ADN route = 3 years of school at the least. BSN = 4-5 years at the least.