Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in the Emergency Department: Implications for Education and Research

The use of pediatric nurse practitioners in emergency departments is common in the United States. Defining competencies that are specific to the wide span of urgent and emergent pediatric conditions, along with a recognized practice standard for education and specialty certification for pediatric nurse practitioners practicing in emergency care, is needed. Pediatric emergency departments require a team of providers with a skill set that aligns with each patient's needs. The use of qualified pediatric nurse practitioners on these teams, both primary care and acute care certified, to provide care to these children is expanding, with implications for education and research.