Reprinted with permission from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, “A Day in the Life”

Pediatric Nursing Instructor: Steadman McPeters
Steadman McPeters, DNP, CRNP, CPNP-AC, RNFA, is a nursing instructor at a large state university. He is responsible for preparing tomorrow's pediatric nurse practitioners.

Dr. McPeters is known for his passionate care of pediatric patients. His research and clinical interests include: pediatric surgery with a central focus on congenital diaphragmatic hernia neonates, pediatric obesity, and pediatric forensic nursing. He also encourages nurse practitioner students to be future leaders and recently developed a student membership for them in the state of Alabama as an arm of the Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama (NPAA).

What is your job title?

I am an Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC), and a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA). In addition, I am an instructor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing and a Specialty Track Coordinator for their Dual Option Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love educating the future pediatric nurse practitioners of tomorrow!

What is your biggest challenge?

Teaching in a distance-accessible program is a challenge within itself. The face-to-face interaction is a challenge to recreate via a distance-accessible option.

Describe a typical day.

On an average day, I work distance-accessible classes, teaching students how to become evidence-based pediatric nurse practitioners. Some of the classes I teach include: Acute and Continuing Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner I, II, & III, with a corresponding clinical practicum course, and also Procedures: Intubation and Basic Suturing for the Nurse Practitioner. Currently, I am not involved in patient care.

What education or experience did you need to achieve your role?

I needed a Masters in Nursing to begin my career at UAB. However, I also obtained my DNP and that will give me an opportunity for promotion.

What advice would you give to students interested in your role?

The role of a pediatric nurse is both rewarding and honorable. PNPs are caring for someone's child. In the field of pediatrics, you are not only caring for the patient, but the family as well.