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As advanced practice registered nurses, PNPs can perform many of the same functions as a physician. PNPs provide a full scope of care to patients, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, ordering and interpreting lab tests and imaging studies, prescribing medications, and counseling patients on health and wellness. In addition, PNPs may also be involved in conducting research, teaching, and advocacy work.
In some settings, PNPs may be the only health care providers who are seeing pediatric patients. This means that they may perform a wide variety of different duties, from writing prescriptions and performing physical exams to counseling patients and families. PNPs also play a key role in the development of medical policies, quality improvement initiatives, and patient safety standards.
The daily responsibilities of a pediatric nurse practitioner depend on the practice setting, but they typically include the following tasks:
NP CERTIFICATION | HOURLY RATE * | ANNUAL BASE SALARY * | TOTAL INCOME * |
---|---|---|---|
Pediatrics – Primary Care | $61.50 | $108,500 | $115,000 |
Pediatrics – Acute Care | $64.00 | $112,000 | $115,000 |
Pediatrics – Primary Care Mental Health | $68.45 | $124,000 | $128,000 |
* American Association of Nurse Practitioners, National Nurse Practitioner Sample Survey, 2019 |
A pediatric nurse is a registered Nurse (RN) who has completed an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing, along with additional clinical training in pediatrics. A PNP is a nurse practitioner who has completed a master’s or doctoral program in nursing focusing on pediatrics. Both RNs and NPs are able to provide high-quality care for children, but NPs have additional training and experience in managing complex medical conditions and providing primary care.
Over the course of their education, PNPs receive extensive training in childhood growth and development, diagnosing and treating illnesses in children, as well as providing preventive care. This makes PNPs uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive care for children from birth through adolescence.