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CORE COMPETENCIES

As part of the Society of Pediatric Nurses Strategic Plan, the SPN Board of Directors created SPN Pediatric Pre-licensure and Residency Core Competencies for pre-licensure and pediatric nurse residency programs. The Core Competencies enhance pre-licensure educational preparation and support the transition of the graduating nurse generalist into the profession of pediatric nursing.

 

Pre-Licensure 

The Pre-licensure Document lists evidence-based core competencies that prioritize and determine the foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes in pediatric nursing for the graduating nurse.

 

Pediatric Nurse Residency 

The Pediatric Nurse Residency Document lists evidence-based core competencies that prioritize the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to begin practice as a licensed professional nurse in a pediatric acute care setting.

Endorsements

The following organizations have endorsed the SPN Pediatric Pre-licensure and Residency Core Competencies:

Encourage Adoption in Your Institution

According to the CCNE Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs (2013), the SPN Pre-Licensure Core Competencies may be selected as an additional standard or guideline to follow. While our competencies cannot replace the professional nursing standards and guidelines required, pre-licensure nursing programs can choose the competencies and incorporate them as consistent with the program's mission goals and expected outcomes.

SPN has created customizable justification letters that you can share with leaders and decision-makers within your institution to encourage the adoption of the core competencies. We believe integrating these competencies into all nursing curricula is necessary. These standards help ensure that baccalaureate nursing education provides the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to succeed within pediatrics and provide safe, quality, child and family-centered care.