Pediatric emergency nursing isn’t for everyone, and that’s exactly why travel peds ER nurses are in such high demand. You know how to dose medications by weight without second-guessing yourself, keep a scared four-year-old still for an IV, and recognize the subtle signs that a kid is crashing before the monitors catch up. If that’s your wheelhouse, Junxion Med Staffing has pediatric ER travel contracts at children’s hospitals and pediatric EDs across the country.
We were founded by a traveling surgical tech who saw how the big agencies treated specialty travelers, like interchangeable parts. We don’t do that. Pediatric ER nursing requires a specific skill set, and your recruiter should know the difference between a dedicated children’s hospital ED and a general ER that sees a few kids a shift. The pay difference is real, and peds ER nurses who take the leap get rewarded for a skill set that most nurses don’t have.
Just getting started? Our guide to becoming a travel nurse lays it all out. Already on the road? Check our employee resources for compliance docs, housing help, and everything in between.
Why Travel as a Pediatric ER Nurse?
No sugarcoating: pediatric emergency nurses are a niche within a niche. Most ER nurses are trained for adults first, and peds is an afterthought. That means dedicated peds ER nurses. The ones who actually prefer working with kids, are incredibly hard for hospitals to find. And when supply is low and demand is high, your earning power goes up.
Travel gives you access to the best pediatric programs in the country. You might spend one contract at a standalone children’s hospital in a major metro, then move to a community hospital with a dedicated pediatric ED that needs your expertise. Every facility handles peds emergencies a little differently, different protocols, different equipment, different physician teams. That variety makes you sharper and more confident with every contract. See where the strongest pediatric contracts are on our best states for travel healthcare page.
And if your current facility is undervaluing your peds skills, lumping you in with general ER staff and paying you the same, travel is how you get compensated for what you actually bring to the table.
What Travel Pediatric ER Nurse Pros Actually Do
Pediatric ER nursing covers the full spectrum of childhood emergencies. You’re triaging febrile infants, managing pediatric asthma exacerbations, stabilizing trauma patients, handling suspected abuse cases, running pediatric codes, and calming parents who are more panicked than their kids. Weight-based dosing is second nature. Broselow tapes are your best friend. And you know that kids aren’t small adults, they present differently, decompensate differently, and need a completely different approach.
As a travel peds ER nurse, you bring that specialized knowledge to facilities that need it most. Some assignments are in dedicated children’s hospitals with full pediatric subspecialty support. Others are in general EDs where you’re the pediatric expert on the team. Either way, you’re expected to manage sick kids independently and confidently. For more on what this career looks like day-to-day, read our pediatric ER travel nurse guide.
Pediatric ER Travel Nurse Pay: What to Expect
- Average weekly pay: $2,189/week
- Typical range: $1,800–$2,600/week depending on location, facility type, and experience
- Highest-paying states: Texas, Illinois, and Michigan have major children’s hospitals with strong travel contracts
- Tax-free stipends: Housing, meals, and incidentals significantly boost your take-home pay beyond the taxable rate
- Shift differentials: Night and weekend differentials are standard, kids don’t schedule their emergencies during business hours
- Bonuses: Completion bonuses, extension bonuses, and referral bonuses that reward your niche expertise
Pay varies by facility, shift, and experience level. Contact us for a transparent look at real pediatric ER packages. No hidden fees, no bait-and-switch numbers.
Requirements & Certifications
Pediatric ER travel contracts require a specific credential stack. Here’s what facilities expect:
- Active RN license compact license is ideal for maximum state flexibility
- BLS certification (American Heart Association)
- PALS certification (Pediatric Advanced Life Support), absolutely non-negotiable for peds ER travel contracts
- ACLS certification still required at most facilities, even pediatric-focused ones
- CEN or CPEN certification CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) is widely accepted; CPEN (Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse) is the gold standard and gives you priority for the best children’s hospital contracts
- ENPC (Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course), preferred by many pediatric EDs
- Minimum 2 years pediatric ER experience facilities need nurses who’ve managed pediatric codes, febrile seizures, respiratory emergencies, and pediatric trauma independently
- Current health screenings and immunizations
Not sure if you’re ready? Reach out, we’ll review your credentials and give you a clear path to your first peds ER travel assignment.
Best States for Pediatric ER Travel Nurse Jobs
Texas is a standout, multiple major children’s hospitals in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio mean steady pediatric ER contracts year-round. Illinois has top-tier pediatric programs in Chicago that attract travelers from across the country. Michigan offers strong children’s hospital systems in Detroit and Grand Rapids with competitive packages.
North Carolina has growing pediatric programs and a lower cost of living that makes your stipends go further. Tennessee and Arizona are also building out pediatric emergency capacity as their populations grow. For the full picture, check our state-by-state guide.
Know someone who’d love a travel assignment? Refer them and you both earn a bonus.
Why Junxion for Pediatric ER Travel Nurse Assignments?
We’re not a call center that lumps pediatric ER nurses in with every other ER traveler. Peds is its own world, different protocols, different medications, different emotional demands, and your agency should treat it that way. At Junxion, your recruiter understands the difference between a children’s hospital ED and a general ER that occasionally sees kids. That distinction matters when you’re choosing your next contract.
Our founder built this agency because he was tired of the one-size-fits-all approach that big companies take. You get transparent pay breakdowns, honest facility intel, and a recruiter who picks up the phone. We’ve placed nurses across every specialty, from adult ER to ICU to L&D, and we know that peds ER travelers need a recruiter who respects their niche.
FAQs About Pediatric ER Travel Nurse Jobs
Do I need dedicated pediatric ER experience, or does general ER count?
For dedicated children’s hospital contracts, you’ll need documented pediatric ER experience, typically 2 years. General ER experience that includes a significant pediatric patient volume may qualify you for community hospital peds ED positions. The more peds-specific your background, the stronger your submissions. Your recruiter can assess which contracts match your experience level.
Is CPEN certification worth it for travel pediatric ER nursing?
Absolutely. CPEN is the top credential for pediatric emergency nurses and it gives you priority at the best children’s hospitals. CEN is more widely recognized across general EDs, but if pediatric emergency nursing is your focus, CPEN signals to facilities that you’re serious about peds. It often translates to better contracts and higher pay.
What age range do pediatric ER travel nurses typically see?
It depends on the facility. Standalone children’s hospitals typically see patients from birth through age 17 or 21. General hospital pediatric EDs may see patients up to age 14 or 16. You’ll manage everything from neonatal emergencies to adolescent psychiatric crises, which is why peds ER demands such a broad skill set.
Are pediatric ER travel contracts harder to find than adult ER contracts?
There are fewer pediatric-specific contracts than adult ER contracts, but competition is also lower because fewer nurses specialize in peds. The result? If you’ve got the credentials and experience, you’re in a strong position. We keep a running list of pediatric ER openings and can often match you faster than you’d expect. Talk to us about current availability.
Can I alternate between pediatric and adult ER travel contracts?
Many nurses do exactly that. If you’ve got both adult and pediatric ER experience, you can mix and match contracts based on what’s available and what you’re in the mood for. Some travelers prefer to stay peds-focused; others enjoy the variety. Either way, having both on your resume gives you maximum flexibility. Browse our full RN travel job options to see what’s open across specialties.
Ready to take your pediatric ER expertise somewhere new? Get in touch with Junxion and let’s find your next assignment at a facility that values what you do. No call centers, no generic placements, just a team that understands peds ER and treats you like the specialist you are.
What Travelers Say About Junxion
“My travel experience through Junxion has been very smooth! My recruiter is always available to answer questions. Overall Junxion is a great company to work for as a travel nurse!”
— Danielle, RN
Read more traveler reviews — or talk to a recruiter and see for yourself.
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