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Beyond Bedside: Pediatric Nursing Roles
- NursePathwaysPro
- May 20
- 3 min read
If you love working with children but want to step away from traditional hospital nursing, there are rewarding pediatric nursing roles that integrate Child Life concepts focusing on emotional support, coping strategies, and family-centered care.
PSSST ! You do not have to work in the hospital to be a pediatric Nurse
As a former Pediatric Oncology unit secretary, I saw firsthand how Child Life Specialists transformed scary medical experiences into manageable ones for kids.
Their techniques like medical play, distraction therapy, and family advocacy are skills nurses can adopt in outpatient, school, and home health settings.
Here are 6 pediatric nursing roles that blend clinical expertise with Child Life principles:
1. Pediatric Ambulatory Care Nurse
Where You Work: Outpatient clinics (e.g., oncology, endocrinology, cardiology)
What you do:
- Build long-term trust with kids who have chronic illnesses.
- Use distraction techniques (toys, games) during blood draws or vaccines.
- Partner with Child Life Specialists for procedure prep.
Beyond the bedside appeal: Pediatric outpatient nurse jobs, non-bedside nursing roles, child-friendly medical care
2. Pediatric Infusion Nurse
Where You Work: Outpatient infusion centers
What you do:
- Help kids with chemo, transfusions, or IVIG cope with frequent treatments.
- Learn medical play therapy to reduce fear.
- Teach parents comfort positioning during procedures.
Beyond the bedside appeal: Pediatric infusion nurse jobs, outpatient nursing careers, child life techniques for nurses
3. School Nurse (SBHC Partnerships)
Where You Work: Schools or School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs)
What you do:
- Support kids with chronic illnesses, trauma, or anxiety.
- Use trauma-informed care to ease medical fears.
- Refer families to Child Life programs for extra support.
Beyond the bedside appeal: School nurse jobs, non-hospital nursing roles, trauma-informed pediatric care
4. Pediatric Home Health Nurse
Where You Work: Family homes (post-surgery, complex care)
What you do:
- Bring medical play into home care (e.g., letting kids "treat" a stuffed animal first).
- Teach parents coping strategies for medical routines.
- Work alongside hospice or palliative care teams for emotional support.
Beyond the bedside appeal: *Pediatric home health nurse jobs, work-from-home nursing roles, child life skills for nurses*
5. Pediatric Care Coordinator / Nurse Navigator
Where You Work: Outpatient clinics, insurance companies
What you do:
- Help families understand diagnoses in child-friendly ways.
- Connect kids to Child Life programs for procedure prep.
- Advocate for emotional and developmental needs in care plans.
Beyond the bedside appeal: Pediatric nurse navigator jobs, remote nursing jobs, child advocacy in healthcare
Here is a {BONUS}
6. Pediatric Hospice/Palliative Nurse (Outpatient or In-Home)
Where You Work: Hospice agencies, home care
What you do:
- Use memory-making activities (handprints, storytelling) for legacy building.
- Support siblings through grief and loss.
- Collaborate with Child Life Specialists for age-appropriate end-of-life discussions.
Beyond the bedside appeal: Pediatric hospice nurse jobs, non-bedside nursing careers, child life and bereavement*
How to Transition Into Pediatric Roles ?
1. Gain Experience: Work in pediatrics or adjacent positions
2. Learn Child Life Basics: Take courses in trauma-informed care or therapeutic
play.
3. Network: Connect with Child Life teams in your area for mentorship and volunteer
work.
4. Search Job Boards: use the table below to tailor your search:
Job Title | Setting | Distinguishing Factor / Keyword Focus |
Pediatric Ambulatory Care Nurse | Outpatient clinics | Long-term family relationships, chronic care management, pediatric outpatient nurse |
Pediatric Infusion Nurse | Infusion centers, specialty clinics | Pain management + distraction, nurse jobs not bedside, IV therapy |
School Nurse (SBHC partnerships) | School-based health centers | Trauma-informed care, chronic illness in schools, pediatric nurse outside hospital |
Pediatric Home Health Nurse | Patient homes | One-on-one care, home environment healing, pediatric home care nurse |
Pediatric Care Coordinator / Nurse Navigator | Outpatient networks, care teams | Care continuity, patient navigation, nurse jobs remote hybrid |
Pediatric Palliative / Hospice Nurse | Outpatient or in-home | Family-centered end-of-life care, pediatric palliative care, emotional support |
Just My Nurse Perspective
You don’t have to work in a hospital to make a difference in kids’ lives or their families. These roles let you blend clinical skills with emotional support just like Child Life Specialists do.
Want more non-bedside nursing ideas ?
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Nurse Meg
NursePathwaysPro | Perspective33.com
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