What is a PICU Nurse?
Role and Responsibilities
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) nurses specialize in caring for critically ill children, managing life-threatening conditions, and providing intensive medical care. Their duties include monitoring vital signs, administering medications and treatments, performing procedures, and providing emotional support to families. PICU nurses collaborate with pediatricians, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive care, ensuring the best possible outcomes for their young patients.
Average Salary
Based on available sources, the average salary for a PICU nurse in the United States can vary depending on experience, location, and certifications. This competitive salary reflects the specialized skills and high demand for PICU nurses.
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual base salary for a PICU nurse is approximately $81,460. According to Glassdoor, the average annual base salary is $108,951.
Certification Options for RNs Aspiring to Become PICU Nurses
PNCB Exams and Eligibility
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) offers certifications such as the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), the Certified Pediatric Nurse Practioner-Acute Care (CPNP-AC), and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care (CPNP-PC). Eligibility requirements for these exams include:
CPN: Candidates must hold an active RN license and at least 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical experience in the past 2 years or 3,000 hours in the past 5 years.
CPNP-PC: Candidates must have completed a master’s, DNP, or post-master’s degree in a pediatric nurse practitioner program and hold an active RN license.
ANCC Exams and Eligibility
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers the Critical-Care Registered Nurse-Pediatric (CCRN Pediatric). Eligibility criteria include:
- An active RN license.
- Two years of full-time practice as an RN.
- A minimum of 2,000 hours of pediatric nursing clinical practice in the past three years.
- Completion of 30 hours of continuing education in pediatric nursing within the past three years.
Top Resources for Passing the AACN and PNCB Pediatric Exams
Pocket Prep’s Nursing Prep App
We’ve been a leader in exam preparation since 2011, offering practice questions created by subject matter experts that reflect the current exam standards. Our test prep app features include:
- Question of the Day: Quick daily practice.
- Quick 10 Quiz: 10 random questions for short study sessions.
- Missed Questions Quiz: Focus on questions you’ve previously missed.
- Weakest Subject Quiz: Concentrate on your lowest scoring areas.
- Timed Quiz: Fit study time into your busy schedule.
- Build Your Own Quiz: Customize quizzes to target specific topics.
- Mock Exam: Simulate the actual test day experience.
Exam Handbooks
Exam handbooks are vital for understanding the exam’s structure, content areas, and preparation strategies.
Textbook Resources
AACN CCRN® (Pediatric)
- AACN Core Curriculum for Pediatric High Acuity, Progressive, and Critical Care Nursing, 3rd Edition (ISBN 978-0826133021)
PNCB CPN®
- Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants and Children, 12th Edition (ISBN 978-0323776707)
- Lippincott Review: Pediatric Nursing, 5th Edition (ISBN 978-1451194289)
- Clinical Skills Manual for Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, 5th Edition (ISBN 978-0134257006)
- Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 4th Edition (ISBN 978-1610020220)
PNCB CPNP-PC®
- Burns’ Pediatric Primary Care 7th Edition (ISBN 978-0323581967)
- Nelson Pediatric Symptom-Based Diagnosis: Common Diseases and their Mimics 2nd Edition (ISBN 978-0323761741)
Embarking on a career as a PICU nurse is both challenging and rewarding. Achieving the necessary certifications requires dedication and the right resources. To prepare effectively for your certification exam, utilize tools like the Pocket Prep Nursing Prep app, the official exam handbooks, and the recommended textbooks.
Don’t wait—start your journey with Pocket Prep today and join the ranks of skilled PICU nurses making a difference in children’s lives.
