Description
This course provides a comprehensive and advanced introduction to pediatric nursing within a family-centered and developmentally appropriate framework. Emphasis is placed on critically analyzing the physical, psychosocial, developmental, and sociocultural needs of infants, children, and adolescents, as well as the multifaceted impact of illness, hospitalization, and chronic conditions on children and their families. Students will integrate the nursing process with evidence-informed practice to promote health, manage acute and chronic pediatric conditions, and foster resilience in children and families. Through an integration of theoretical foundations, case-based learning, and immersive clinical experiences, students will refine competencies in growth and development assessment, pediatric pharmacology and medication safety, therapeutic communication, and implementation of best-practice interventions. The course further emphasizes professional accountability in pediatric nursing, including legal and ethical decision-making, advocacy, cultural humility, and interprofessional collaboration. Students are expected to demonstrate higher-order clinical reasoning, leadership in care delivery, and reflective practice as they prepare for professional nursing roles in diverse pediatric settings. Prerequisite: NURS 551.