Protecting the integrity of children and young people’s nursing as a distinct field of practice

ORCID

Abstract

At certain points in nursing history, it has been necessary to make a case for children and young people to be cared for by specialist nurses educated to meet their specific needs. However, in 2018 the updated Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards of proficiency for registered nurses adopted a generic rather than field-specific approach. This article reiterates that children, young people and their families have unique needs that are best met by nurses who are trained specifically to care for them. The case is made from a historical and legal perspective, concluding with a proposal that in the best interests of children, young people and their families, the NMC should embed specific competencies for children’s nurses into its standards of proficiency to future-proof this field of practice.

Publication Date

2024-11-07

Publication Title

Nursing children and young people

Volume

36

Issue

6

ISSN

2046-2336

Embargo Period

2025-05-07

Keywords

adolescents, child behaviour, child development, child health, duty of care, ethical issues, infants, professional, professional issues, professional regulation, registration

First Page

20

Last Page

25

This document is currently not available here.

This item is under embargo until 07 May 2025

10.7748/ncyp.2024.e1512" data-hide-no-mentions="true">

Share

COinS