Pediatric Nursing at RWJBarnabas Health

Nurse helping a mother and childEach year more than 10,000 children, from newborn to age 21, are cared for in the exceptional pediatric centers of RWJBarnabas Health.

Our pediatric nurses understand that children are not small adults and caring for them requires a unique approach – one that recognizes their tender age, adapts to their chronological, cognitive and emotional development, and is individualized to their needs to allow for optimum health.

In our bright and uplifting pediatric centers throughout NJ, children and families are at the center of our work.

Our pediatric nurses deliver the highest quality family-centered care, changing the lives of children and their families, restoring hope, and paving the way for a future of possibilities.

Who are RWJBarnabas Health Pediatric Nurses?

At RWJBarnabas Health we are proud to have a diverse team of pediatric nurses who are passionate about working with children, are highly skilled and empathetic, and embody the values of family-centered care. Our intelligent and compassionate nurses are skilled in interacting with children and possess personalities that enable them to interact with all pediatric age groups and their families.

With a focus on preventing disease and alleviating suffering for children and families, pediatric nurses work collaboratively with fellow nurses, physicians, pharmacists, child life specialists, therapists and other health professionals to provide care to acutely or critically ill infants, children and adolescents.

Our pediatric nurses:

  • Are highly skilled in pediatric advanced life support (PALS) and the management of all pediatric related disease processes
  • Have strong working relationships between all disciplines
  • Communicate with parents and children in a way that is clear and understandable
  • Have strong educational skills to assist with discharge planning and recovery
  • Provide outreach to the community to assure children are receiving the necessary care to transition to home and lead a healthy life
  • Work closely with all specialists, including Child Life specialists, to provide age-appropriate strategies and interventions to cope with the challenges of hospitalization

Our core philosophy is family-centered care. During a stressful time of hospitalization, our nurses are there to support children and families, making them feel safe and at ease so they can focus on healing and reaching their full potential.

Simply the Best

At RWJBarnabas Health, nurses in our pediatrics division practice in a child-friendly, family-focused environment featuring a full-range of treatment options aimed at keeping children healthy, happy and enjoying life. Our nurses care for a broad spectrum of illness and injuries in the following specially designated facilities designed exclusively for children:

  • The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (BMSCH) – A dedicated, children-only facility designed to put children and their parents at ease by providing highly specialized care from our team of pediatric specialists and clinical teams. In partnership with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, BMSCH brings together clinical research, the latest therapies and the nation’s top physicians and nurses to treat complex pediatric illness. BMSCH has the only dedicated pediatric hematology/oncology pediatric unit in RWJBarnabas Health, as well as 20-bed PICU, level IV NICU, neonatal and pediatric ECMO, and a 24/7 Pediatric emergency department with the system’s only designated Pediatric Trauma Center.
  • Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center – A dedicated hospital just for children offering nearly 30 pediatric subspecialties including the Children’s Heart Center, a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, a Pediatric Emergency Department, and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with ECMO capabilities.
  • The Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center – A dedicated children’s hospital with a team of pediatric specialists working to deliver innovative treatments and life-saving care along with its unsurpassed dedication to supporting patients and families in their time of need.
  • The McMullen Children’s Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center -- A new state-of-the-art “hospital within a hospital” designed to meet the medical and emotional needs of young patients, offering a Special Needs Ambassador Program (SNAP) that supports and assists families with children, in both the inpatient and outpatient areas, who are on the spectrum of developmental disorders.
  • Children’s Specialized Hospital -- The world-renowned and largest pediatric acute rehab hospital in the country offering long-term care and outpatient specialties for children facing special health challenges.

In totality, RWJBarnabas Health has:

  • 5 general medical/surgical pediatric units
  • A designated pediatric burn unit
  • A designated pediatric hematology/oncology unit
  • Valerie Fund for pediatric oncology and blood disorders
  • 8 Neonatal Intensive Care Units
  • 4 Pediatric Intensive Care Units
  • Designated pediatric emergency departments including a level II Pediatric Trauma Center
  • Outpatient centers for children across the state to be cared for in a vast array of specialties, including but not limited to cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinogy, gastroenterology, infectious disease, oncology, neonatal follow-up, developmental behavioral pediatrics, psychiatry and physiatry

What Is the Culture of Pediatric Nursing at RWJBarnabas Health?

Our pediatric nurses are committed to education and RWJBarnabas Health supports our ongoing journey to learn and grow professionally. The Center for Professional Development, Innovation and Research offers continuing education opportunities year-round with innovative programs that advance skills and help cultivate new nurse leaders. Many of our facilities have earned Magnet® status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), acknowledging that RWJBarnabas Health truly values nursing talent and a commitment to excellence.

We offer:

  • A comprehensive orientation program for all pediatric nurses beginning with pediatric growth and development
  • A new graduate registered nurse (RN) residency program at some facilities
  • Advanced pediatric nursing education including Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • Mentorship and leadership opportunities
  • Opportunities to participate in performance improvement, nursing research and pediatric and hospital wide committees
  • A multitude of pediatric-specific learning opportunities, including evidence-based nursing courses, journal clubs and system-wide conferences

Child-Friendly Through and Through

Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with the latest in pediatric medical technology. All our facilities and equipment are designed to treat younger patients, which means increased patient safety and faster application of treatments.

Our technology includes:

In addition, RWJBarnabas Health is unique in having a dedicated Pediatric Transport team with two ambulances to bring acute and critically ill or injured children to a higher-level facility. Transport teams are led by specifically trained pediatric critical care nurses who are specialists in pediatric transport.

The imposing environment of a hospital setting is offset by the warm and colorful atmosphere that goes a long way in helping children and families feel comfortable when they are hospitalized and away from home. Simple touches such as engaging animal themes, access to video games, and a sleeping bed for a parent help to reduce stress and ease anxieties that children and families experience during hospitalization. In addition, each of our pediatrics divisions has Child Life Specialists who help children cope through interactive activities, education and play. Our Child Life team is the largest in New Jersey, helping to promote the well-being of hospitalized children and their families.

Why Consider Pediatric Nursing at RWJBarnabas Health?

As pediatric nurses at RWJBarnabas Health we take pride in our profession and work hard to provide young patients and families with the highest level of care. We are a committed team of individuals with vast talent and expertise who promote an environment of diversity and inclusion. We love children, are astute observers, and are compassionate and empathetic.

We know that a child’s hospitalization profoundly affects children and families, and this is where pediatric nurses can make a real difference. Our Pediatrics Division provides a professional environment where skill, heart, career satisfaction and growth come together to offer the very best for the pediatric nurse. RWJBarnabas Health is the place to go in New Jersey for the best environment in pediatric nursing.

RWJBarnabas Health offers an unsurpassed commitment to the highest standards of family-centered care and to the provision of top-quality pediatric services at our facilities throughout New Jersey. As pediatric nurses, we are:

  • Knowledgeable about childhood growth and development
  • Patient and adept at interacting with children at all stages of development
  • Positive thinkers, astute observers and great listeners

We are RWJBarnabas Health Pediatric Nurses. Come join us and be a part of our team!

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How Is RWJBarnabas Health Committed to Excellence?

RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University work in partnership to offer a world-class academic health system dedicated to life-changing research, clinical training of tomorrow’s health care workforce and high-quality patient care. Through collaborative partnerships between leaders in health care and higher education we enhance research, professional education for medical and health professionals, improve access to care and reduce health disparities in New Jersey. We have dedicated adult, pediatric and behavioral health emergency care, Rapid Diagnostic and Observation Units, and all medical and surgical specialties.

Let’s Shape the Future of Nursing Together

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