2026 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
potential life- limiting illnesses. Palliative nurses lead the comprehensive interdisciplinary collaborative care of the patient with person-centered care through coordination of care, and pain and symptom management. The essence of palliative nursing honors the individual patient in her / his journey.
n RN( BSN preferred) n Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse certification exam
n Hospice and palliative nursing practice of 500 hours in the most recent 12 months or 1,000 hours in the most recent 24 months prior to applying for the examination n CHPN, ACHPN, CHPPN
n Hospitals, ambulatory care, continuing care, community health settings, correctional facilities, hospice facilities n Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association( www. hpna. org)
Also see“ Hospice Nurse” section.
Pediatric Nurse
A pediatric nurse specializes in the care of children from infancy through adolescence.
Pediatric nurses are very knowledgeable about growth and development as they adapt their interactions and care to the individual ch developmental needs. In addition, they acknowledge the expertise of the family and work collaboratively with them to provide patient and family centered care to the child.
Pediatric nurses may further specialize in a variety of practice settings such as primary pediatric or pediatric sub-specialty clinics and inpatient departments, including general medical / surgical and intensive care. Diseases, equipment and treatments for pediatric patients are either different or vary in presentation from those of adults. Nurses working in facilities that care for children receive specialized orientation.
n ASN / ADN or BSN( preferred) n Certified Pediatric Nurse
n A minimum of 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical experience completed within the past 24 months as an RN, or a minimum of 5 years as an RN in pediatric nursing and 3,000 hours in pediatric nursing with the last 5 years with a minimum of 1,000 hours within the past 24 months.
n CPN, RN-BC
n Hospitals( acute care settings), Ambulatory care centers, Out-patient surgery centers, Medical / physician offices, Military service, Community health settings, Schools, Retail clinics n Society of Pediatric Nurses( www. pedsnurses. org); Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society( www. pens. org)
Pediatric Hematology / Oncology Nurse
Pediatric hematology / oncology nurses manage patient care across the developmental continuum and educate
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