AACN Standards for Appropriate Staffing in Pediatric Critical Care

“AACN Standards for Appropriate Staffing in Pediatric Critical Care” establishes seven standards to improve some of the processes that affect appropriate nurse staffing.

These standards are designed for pediatric critical care settings and take into account patient age, developmental level and patient- and family-centered care – all factors that influence patient needs and the essential competencies of pediatric nurses.

The standards offer foundational guidance to operationalize AACN’s Appropriate Staffing standard. Each of the seven staffing standards provides actions, exemplars, tools and resources to implement, evaluate and improve pediatric nurse staffing practices. Leveraging the other five AACN Healthy Work Environment standards, the associated actions and exemplars demonstrate real-world tactics to implement the staffing standards.

Together with a deep commitment to collaboration and growth from healthcare leaders, nurses and teams – these staffing standards provide the opportunity for evidence-based and progress that can profoundly improve the healthcare system’s ability to meet patients’ needs and enhance healthy work environments.