Pediatric Nursing Competency
Pediatrics is the care of infants and children and the treatment of their diseases. A nursing specialty, it requires education, training and experience to achieve and maintain the level of competency necessary for optimum results for the patients under care.
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Definition
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A pediatric nurse examines a child. According to the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), there are three elements required to establish the competency required to become fully qualified as a pediatric nurse. The first is to become licensed as a registered nurse with experience in pediatric nursing and education in the specialty. The second requirement is successful completion of the PNCB's national certification exam for Certified Pediatric Nurse or Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Thirdly, for continued certification recognition, an annual PNCB re-certification exam must be taken and completed successfully.
Importance
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When a child becomes ill, it can have traumatic effects on other family members. Pediatric nurses therefore take a family centered approach in recognition that the family is the child's primary support system and source of stability during a traumatic experience. Pediatric nursing competency requires nurses to work with family members to develop the best plan of care for the child. A competent pediatric nurse keeps the parents informed and continuously updated.
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Function
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Pediatric nursing competency is demonstrated by the CPN or CPNP assessing and addressing the physical needs of the patient and the psychological and social needs of the family and patient. They coordinate patient care and perform and/or assist in patient care procedures. CPNs and CPNPs administer medications and fluids and supervise/provide bedside care and teach family members about diseases and hands-on procedures. They also manage human and material resources and maintain their licensing and certification requirements.
Benefits
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A survey conducted by Mary T. Rieman and Mary Gordon with 295 nurses from eight pediatric hospitals highlights the importance of pediatric nursing competency in the area of pain management. It revealed that "nurses' knowledge and attitudes about pain management affect their capability to attend to children in pain." The nursing sample attained a mean individual test score of 74 percent, with those having zero to two years of nursing experience attaining significantly lower scores. The survey revealed a direct correlation between "years of clinical experience" and "the knowledge necessary for competency in pain management."
Helping Patients
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Like all other nurses, pediatric nurses provide needed medical procedures to infants and children under their care. By combining education, certification and professionalism, they meet the needs of the child and family by attaining and maintaining the competency required by their specialties.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Child image by Serenitie from Fotolia.com doctor and patient 21 image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
