Emergency nurses' perceived knowledge and comfort levels regarding pediatric patients

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Pediatric Nursing
• Healthcare Education

Background:

• Emergency departments (EDs) frequently encounter pediatric patients.
• Assessing emergency nurses' preparedness for pediatric care is vital for patient safety.
• Current educational standards may not fully address the complexities of pediatric emergencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate emergency nurses' preparation and education for pediatric patients.
• To determine nurses' knowledge and comfort levels with specific pediatric medical conditions.
• To identify perceived needs for specialized pediatric policies in emergency settings.

Main Methods:

• Surveys were distributed to nurse managers and emergency nurses across six diverse counties.
• Data were collected from 51 nurse managers and 362 emergency nurses from 51 hospitals.
• Questionnaires assessed experience, education, knowledge, comfort, and policy perceptions.

Main Results:

• Over half of nurses had 6+ years of experience; many held pediatric certifications.
• Higher pediatric education and certifications (PALS, CEN, MICN) correlated with increased knowledge and comfort.
• Significant knowledge gaps and discomfort were noted for neonatal emergencies, trauma, abuse, SIDS, and cardiac/respiratory arrest.
• Perceived needs for pediatric policies sometimes diverged from existing practices.

Conclusions:

• Specific pediatric medical conditions are associated with low nurse knowledge and high discomfort.
• Targeted educational interventions are needed to address identified knowledge deficits.
• Improving emergency nurse education is essential for better pediatric emergency care outcomes.