The future of pediatric nursing science

• Published in: Nursing outlook Vol. 68; no. 1; pp. 73 - 82
• Main Authors: Harrison, Tondi M., Steward, Deborah, Tucker, Sharon, Fortney, Christine A., Militello, Lisa K., Smith, Laureen H., Thrane, Susan, Tubbs-Cooley, Heather L., Pickler, Rita H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Child; Child Health; Delivery of Health Care; Education, Nursing, Graduate - economics; Forecasting; Humans; Nursing; Nursing education; Nursing Research; Pediatric nursing; Pediatric Nursing - trends; Research-focused doctorate; Research-focused doctorate; Nursing education; Nursing research; Pediatric nursing; Child health
• ISSN: 0029-6554; 1528-3968
• DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2019.06.020

•The population of children is growing along with an increase in complexity and diversity of health care needs.•The number of pediatric nurse scientists is inadequate to meet the demand for research underlying evidence-based care for this growing pediatric population.•Pediatric nurse scientists develop from pediatric nurses, and the number of pediatric nurses is steadily decreasing.•Nursing leaders in academia, practice, and public policy must act to support and build pediatric nursing and pediatric nursing science. The provision of safe and effective nursing care to children is dependent upon pediatric nurse scientists creating knowledge that guides and directs day-to-day nursing practice. Current trends demonstrating steady decreases of pediatric nurses and inadequate numbers of PhD-prepared pediatric nurse scientists put the health of our children at risk. The purposes of this paper are to (1) summarize current health care demands in pediatrics, (2) present our concern that the number of pediatric nurse scientists is inadequate to generate foundational knowledge to guide pediatric nursing practice, (3) present our perspectives on factors influencing the number of pediatric nurse scientists, and (4) recommend specific actions for nursing leaders, nursing faculty, and professional nursing organizations to increase the depth and breadth of pediatric nursing science to meet current and future pediatric care needs.