Call to Action: Bolstering the Diminishing Pediatric Nursing Workforce

Abstract

Background Pediatric workforce shortages became more apparent with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the rise in other viruses. Among factors affecting these shortages are undergraduate and graduate curricula that include pediatric content and clinical experiences. Method A narrative review was conducted to examine the state of the pediatric nursing workforce, describe curricular models in undergraduate and graduate programs, and determine the effects of these models on pediatric content and clinical experiences as well as subsequent employment in pediatric nursing. Results Curricula affect knowledge of pediatric content and clinical ability to practice, potentially resulting in direct care pediatric workforce shortages and subsequently the number of pediatric nurse practitioners, nurse scientists, and faculty. Conclusion Research is needed on specific shortages in the pediatric workforce, standardization of required pediatric content and clinical hours, and simulation versus in-person clinical experience to prepare graduates for practice, as well as practice perspectives of new graduates' ability to practice. [ J Nurs Educ . 2024;63(12):806–812.]