Debbie Fallon

Protecting the integrity of children and young people’s nursing as a distinct field of...

Why you should read this article: • To understand the importance of recognising the specific healthcare needs of children and young people • To be aware of the concerns that have been raised in response to the potential move towards a generalist approach in nursing • To learn about some of the suggestions for protecting the field of children and young people’s nursing and optimising care for this patient group At certain points in nursing history, it has been necessary to make a case for children and young people to be cared for by specialist nurses educated to meet their specific needs. However, in 2018 the updated Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards of proficiency for registered nurses adopted a generic rather than field-specific approach. This article reiterates that children, young people and their families have unique needs that are best met by nurses who are trained specifically to care for them. The case is made from a historical and legal perspective, concluding with a proposal that in the best interests of children, young people and their families, the NMC should embed specific competencies for children’s nurses into its standards of proficiency to future-proof this field of practice.