2024 Career Planning Guide
NURSING SPECIALITIES KEY : n Minimum Education required n Certifications required n Experience needed n Certification credential n Possible employment n Professional Organization n References / Resources
Pediatric Hematology / Oncology Nurse
Pediatric hematology / oncology nurses manage patient care across the developmental continuum and educate patients / families about diagnosis and treatment for blood disorders and malignancies , which can be acute or chronic . The nurse may also care for patients undergoing stem cell transplantation . Patient care includes physical , psychosocial , developmental , and spiritual assessment of the patient and family . The nurse is a part of a multidisciplinary team that manages therapies , which may include chemotherapy , biotherapy , immunotherapy , surgery , and radiation . Supportive care includes managing the side effects from the therapies provided , such as pain management and nutritional support . Providing developmentally appropriate education is a foundational element woven throughout nursing care in this sub-specialty . The nurse collaborates with supportive care team members , such as the palliative care team , child life specialist , art therapist , home health care , music therapist , and chaplains . This profession requires strong critical thinking , compassion and dedication to life-long learning .
n RN , ASN / ADN ( BSN encouraged ) n Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse n None . This may vary between hospitals . Experience typically required for clinics or infusion centers . n CPHON , BMTCN
n Hospitals ( inpatient unit and outpatient clinic ), physician ’ s offices , home healthcare , radiation centers , hospice / palliative care facilities n Association of Pediatric Hematology / Oncology Nursing ( www . aphon . org )
Pediatric Surgery Nurse
The pediatric surgical nurse uses the patient and family centered care approach to provide for patients requiring surgical intervention in a variety of settings . Utilizing evidence- based practice guidelines pediatric surgical nurses focus on the protection , promotion , and optimization of health and abilities for children from newborn through young adulthood with an array of surgical issues . They serve as clinicians , researchers , educators , mentors , advocates , and administrators . Pediatric surgical nursing strives for the prevention of illness and injury , the restoration of health and the maximization of comfort in health conditions and at the end of life , through diagnosis , treatment and management of the child ’ s condition that requires surgical intervention .
n RN , ASN / ADN , BSN , MSN ( BSN / MSN preferred ) n Hospitals , Continuing Care , ambulatory care centers n American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association , Inc . ( www . apsna . org )
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