The sphere of pediatric nursing is rather challenging, and nurses need to improve their knowledge regularly while reviewing the latest research and studies in the field. They also should participate in professional associations and societies to enhance the clinical practice and improve the patients’ experience. The most popular and credible sources of information for nurses are the Journal of Pediatric Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, and Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing. To develop practical skills and improve the knowledge of the latest changes in the area as a result of attending conferences, building the network, and focusing on cooperation, nurses participate in such organizations as the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, the Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses, and the Society of Pediatric Nurses. These organizations also have their chapters in California. The purpose of this paper is to review the journals for pediatric nursing and discuss the work of associations in terms of their effectiveness to improve the nurses’ everyday practice.
Journal of Pediatric Nursing is a peer-reviewed journal that is published by Elsevier for the Society of Pediatric Nurses in the United States. The articles provided in the journal present the results of the recent studies in the field of pediatrics, and the topics include the variety of issues that are related to the health of children from their birth till the period of adolescence (Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 2015). The articles in the journal discuss evidence-based practice, and they can be actively used by nurses to improve their approaches to daily professional activities. The articles provide the theoretical discussions and the evidence that are related not only to the physical health of children and adolescents but also to their emotional health and social context that can influence their development.
One more important peer-reviewed journal in the discussed area is Pediatric Nursing is published by Jannetti Publications, Inc. The articles in the journal cover a variety of topics from nursing research, nursing education, and nursing policy to the clinical nursing practice (Pediatric Nursing, 2015). The articles from the journal are important to be viewed by nurses practicing in the field of pediatrics because they can learn the information regarding the administration and policies that is rarely provided in journals like the Journal of Pediatric Nursing. While reading journal articles, a practicing nurse receives the clinically relevant information, examines the data and evidence-based findings, reviews the theoretical debates, and explores the book reviews and case studies.
Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing is a peer-reviewed journal for nurses who are interested in the evidence-based information and latest research in the field that can influence their practice. The journal is published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The main difference of this journal from other ones is its focus not only on national studies in the sphere of pediatrics but also on the international experience in the field (Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 2015). The journal covers many topics related to the nursing experience and the care of children, and the main contributors are national and international specialists, including theorists, educators, and practitioners in the sphere of pediatric nursing. Much attention is also paid to publishing articles, the authors of which follow the interdisciplinary perspective and provide the results or findings that can be easily applicable to practice because it is expected that the evidence-based information presented in the journal articles can be directly used in the practice of pediatric nurses.
However, the experience of nurses, as well as their professional values and visions, cannot be improved only with references to reading credible journal articles. As a result, nurses also intend to become members of nursing organizations related to their field of interest and work. The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) was established in 1973, and this organization has its chapter in California. Los Angeles Chapter of NAPNAP unites pediatric nurse practitioners in California to protect the health rights of children, monitor the policies and legislation in the field, and work to improve the quality of the provided care for infants, children, and adolescents in local facilities (Los Angeles Chapter of the NAPNAP, 2015). To become a member of this organization, nurses choose the appropriate membership program which can be the dual membership program or discount one. These membership programs allow the different impacts and activities of nurses in the organization. Those nurses who become the NAPNAP members work to develop and distribute education materials for pediatric nurses and families, discuss and resolve the pediatric nursing issues in conferences, find the opportunities for healthcare facilities for children with the focus on advocacy and education, and provide educational opportunities for nurses.
The Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses (APON) was established in 1973 also has its chapter in North California (APHON: California Chapter, 2015). This professional organization unites nurses working in pediatric oncology and hematology departments. The members of the organization are usually non-registered nurse practitioners who are oriented to providing high-quality care to children suffering from cancer. The pediatric nurses are actively invited to become members of the association and work at developing the partnerships, interactions, and networks in the sphere (APHON: California Chapter, 2015). The organization members and partners also work at formulating the most effective principles and standards in providing care for children with cancer.
The third important professional organization for pediatric nurses that was established in 1990 is the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN). This organization has a chapter in California. The mission of the society is to ensure the provision of the perfect care for children and adolescents while supporting the appropriate clinical practice with significant theoretical grounds and evidence (Society of Pediatric Nurses: California Chapter, 2015). The focus is on promoting affordable and high-quality care. In addition, the members of the society pay much attention to providing educational opportunities for nurses in the sphere of pediatrics and researchers. To support the progress of the research and education in the area, the society supports publishing the Journal of Pediatric Nursing. The programs that are proposed to members of the organization include the regular, retired, associate, and student membership to address the needs of all interested individuals.
The discussed journals provide evidence-based information for nurses to apply the best practices in clinical settings. In addition, it is expected that to contribute to the development of pediatric nursing, the nurse practitioners become the members of professional organizations the missions of which are to provide high-quality care for children and adolescents in general or in the concrete area. In California, pediatric nurses have an opportunity to become members of regional chapters of the NAPNAP, the APON, and the SPN.
References
APHON: California Chapter. (2015). Web.
Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing.(2015). Web.
Journal of Pediatric Nursing. (2015). Web.
Los Angeles Chapter of the NAPNAP. (2015). Web.
Pediatric Nursing.(2015). Web.
Society of Pediatric Nurses: California Chapter. (2015). Web.