POSITION STATEMENTSSPN defines a position statement as a statement that is relevant within the current healthcare environment. It clearly and succinctly states SPN's position on an emerging, controversial or debatable topic. The purpose of SPN position statements is to articulate the Society's official stance on a course of action or a SPN policy on pivotal issues affecting the specialty of pediatric nursing and the health care of children and their families. The following position statements provide a well-thought-out starting point for advocacy around that issue. Use these statements to serve as a reference to support your policy at your institution. SPN produced and endorsed position statements are researched, written, and reviewed by pediatric nurses with specialized expertise in the area of concern. All position statements go through committee and Board of Director review at a minimum of every two years. SPN Produced Position StatementsIMPORTANCE OF DIRECT PEDIATRIC CLINICALS IN UNDERGRADUATE NURSING EDUCATIONSeptember 25, 2023 The Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) recognizes the need for child health clinical and didactic content in undergraduate nursing programs. The healthcare needs of pediatric patients present unique challenges and particular attention must be given to differing epidemiology of disease in pediatric patients and approaches to treatment, developmental stages, limited communication abilities in infants and young children, and the provision of nursing care in the context of the family. DOWNLOADSAFE STAFFING FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTSMarch 21, 2022 The Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) remains committed to advocating for high-quality, culturally sensitive, and comprehensive care of children and families. The healthcare needs of pediatric patients present unique challenges due to different developmental stages, limited communication skills, and differences in epidemiology and approaches to treatment as compared to adults. This position statement serves as the framework to assist organizations providing care to children in implementing evidence-based and outcomes-driven staffing plans to promote high-quality care. DOWNLOADChild WelfareSeptember 16, 2021 Child Welfare is the promotion of child well-being and the protection from harm. The issue of child welfare is important to pediatric nurses and children's health care. The efforts of the Society of Pediatric Nurses concerning child welfare are rooted in the need to make children, and children's health, a national priority. Children may be vulnerable for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to human trafficking, social determinants of health, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (one's sexual or gender identity), intersex, and asexual/aromantic/agender(LGBTQA) concerns, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). The assessment of a family's resources to ensure adequate support is essential. The pediatric nurse is in the critical position to identify the needs of children, assess children's vulnerabilities, provide trauma-informed care, advocate for rights, and ensure protection. DownloadImportance of Immunization Against COVID-19January 26, 2021 SPN commends your dedication in caring for infants, children, and families SPN urges all members to rely on data and experts in the field who have determined through rigorous scientific and regulatory processes that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. The COVID 19 vaccine is an important intervention to reduce the chances of getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, or dying. With nurses being the most trusted profession, we have the opportunity to advocate for the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine and influence our communities by educating our patients, families, neighbors and friends of the importance of vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccine is our best hope for protecting our community, including children, against COVID 19. DownloadSignificance of Population Health in Pediatric NursingSeptember 18, 2020 The purpose of this statement is to recognize the significance of population health in the delivery of patient and family-centered care to improve outcomes. DownloadSPN Responds to Impact of Separating Children from their CaregiversJuly 13, 2020 The Society of Pediatric Nurses joins the multitude of voices speaking out against the separation of children from families at the United States border. There is ample evidence supporting the need for infants and children to form attachments with caregivers and to remain in their care throughout childhood. DownloadTobacco Exposure in Children, Adolescents and FamiliesApril 23, 2020 In the United States, tobacco smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion [NCCDPHP], 2020; Gentzke et al., 2020). Tobacco smoking has been on a steady decline for both adults (1970-2020) and youth (1985-2015); however, with the introduction of e-cigarettes, there has been a significant increase in tobacco use by middle and high school-aged children (Gentzke et al., 2019). The use of e-cigarettes under the age of 14 is associated with a higher likelihood of initiating tobacco smoking and creating another generation addicted to tobacco (Lee et al., 2021). DownloadThe Role of the Pediatric Nurse in the Promotion and Protection of Human Milk and BreastfeedingJune 23, 2022 To optimize child health and developmental outcomes, the World Health Organization (WHO) (2022) and the Association of Women’s Health Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) (2021a, 2021b) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding with the addition of complementary foods for the first year and beyond. However, despite improvements in breastfeeding initiation rates in the United States, exclusive breastfeeding rates at six months and one year remain low (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention ([CDC], 2021). DownloadSPN Endorsed Position StatementsThe Impact of Racism on Child and Adolescent Health Firearm-Related Injuries Affecting the Pediatric Population Weighing All Patients in Kilograms |