The Canadian Association of Pediatric Nurses (CAPN) is a national network of nurses passionate about children’s health and the Pediatric nursing specialty. Our mission is to protect and promote the health and well-being of Canadian children, by advancing Pediatric nursing through education, learning, and advocacy.
Recognising the growing complexity of health care needs of Canadian children and their families, CAPN published the Canadian Pediatric Nursing Standards in 2017 after extensive meetings with Pediatric nursing leaders across the country, literature reviews, and in-depth surveys. CAPN revised these standards in 2022, to ensure they reflect current Pediatric clinical practice.
The standards identify five unique domains of Pediatric nursing practice. Each standard contains a clear description, Pediatric elements of care which should always be met, and competencies required to achieve that standard. A story is included with each standard which highlights its principles, to assist nurses to incorporate the standard into their care. This article, summarising the revised Canadian Pediatric Nursing Standards, contains only the standard, its description, as well as the associated Always Events®. Please refer to the full document on the CAPN website (www.paednurse.ca) to view each standard’s competencies and story.
Standard I –
Supporting and partnering with the child, youth and their family
Pediatric nurses partner with the child, youth and their family engaging and empowering them to achieve optimal health and well-being leading to resilient families and healthy communities.
The Pediatric Nurse always:
• Establishes equitable and inclusive therapeutic relationships
• Respects and supports goal setting, decision making and consent
• Collects and uses contextual information to inform care with both child/youth and/or family as partners
• Recognises and fosters the parent/caregiver role
• Respects child and youth definitions of familyStandard II –
Advocating for equitable access and the rights of children, youth and their family
Pediatric nurses demonstrate their understanding of social determinants and other systemic factors that impact health. They comprehensively assess needs/risks, take action to support navigation of the system, empower self-advocacy, and provide mentorship and coaching that improves health outcomes for children and families.
The Pediatric Nurse always:
• Completes a comprehensive assessment considering social determinants of health and child and youth well-being
• Facilitates an appropriate environment to perform assessment and intervention, considering privacy and confidentiality
• Builds capacity in the child/youth and their family to self-advocate
• Maintains current knowledge of resources by engaging in Pediatric communities of practice
• Supports navigation of the healthcare system
Standard III –
Delivering developmentally appropriate care
Pediatric nurses perform assessment based on growth and development and deliver appropriate care.
The Pediatric Nurse always:
• Identifies and uses appropriate pronouns
• Demonstrates knowledge of typical development and variations
• Demonstrates knowledge of safety risks and performs safety assessments appropriate for developmental stage
• Uses validated screening tools to identify high risk activities or behaviours
• Provides anticipatory guidance on typical development and safety related to developmental stage
• Incorporates developmentally appropriate play and recreational activities into care
• Performs age and developmentally appropriate biopsychosocial assessments
• Uses developmental strategies when preparing for and performing interventions
• Understands that development may be influenced by factors such as gender, ethnicity, spirituality, and culture
• Creates a culturally safe environment
Standard IV –
Creating a family friendly environment
Pediatric nurses play an essential role in creating family friendly environments that are welcoming and facilitate the health and wellness journey. They understand the environment changes as the child/youth grows and may be influenced by psychological, spiritual, social and cultural factors.
The Pediatric Nurse always:
• Establishes inclusive communication strategies that meet needs
• Completes a child/youth and family assessment
• Demonstrates cultural competency and humility
• Engages in a respectful, non-judgmental, culturally safe manner
• Recognises and fosters strengths and supports, despite boundaries and limitations
• Uses strategies to support and foster resiliency
• Demonstrates caring and compassion
• Fosters and promotes safe/brave spaces
Standard V –
Enabling successful transitions
Pediatric nurses support the child/youth and family through health care transitions to maximise their well-being. This may include, but is not limited to: hand-off between providers, admission/discharge, and facility transfer or transition.
The Pediatric Nurse always:
• Uses effective communication strategies
• Assesses readiness and supports safe transitions
• Engages in planning of health education and coaching prior to each transition
• Involves the child/youth in self-care as developmentally appropriate
• Provides health education and information to optimise transitions
• Anticipates and uses resources to support transitions
• Plays an active role in facilitating effective transitions
The Canadian Pediatric Nursing Standards aim to have a positive impact on ensuring consistent, high-quality Pediatric nursing across all healthcare sectors. Pediatric nurses are well-positioned within the Canadian healthcare system to influence and advance the protection and promotion of the well-being of children. From acute to community care, from indigenous to immigrant health, implementation of these standards will guide uniform excellence in Pediatric nursing care for all Canada’s children and youth.