Assessing Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Pediatric Pain in a Free-Standing Emergency Department

Background: Pediatric pain-related complaints remain a common reason for emergency department visits. Despite advances in pediatric care, barriers to effective pain assessment and management persist, including gaps in nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding pediatric pain management. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess free-standing emergency department (FSED) nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding pediatric pain management in a rural North Carolina setting. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among staff nurses employed at an FSED in rural North Carolina. Participants completed the Pediatric Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (PNKAS). Descriptive statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25. Results: The mean PNKAS score was 29.2 ± 11.1, with scores ranging from 18 (42.8%) to 37 (88.1%). Participants demonstrated strong knowledge in areas including appropriate pain assessment, benefits of nonopioid medications, and opioid administration practices. Lower performance was observed in understanding pediatric pain perception and accurate opioid dosage calculations. No statistically significant differences were identified among varying nursing experience groups. Conclusion: Knowledge gaps continue to exist in critical areas of pediatric pain management among FSED nurses, particularly related to pediatric pain perception and opioid dosage calculations. Implications for Nursing: Findings support the need for ongoing pediatric pain management education and competency-based training for emergency nurses. Strengthening knowledge in pain assessment and safe medication administration may improve the quality and safety of pediatric emergency care.