The Value of PNCB Pediatric Nursing Certification
The importance and value of PNCB certification begins and ends with the well-being of the child, adolescent, or young adult. PNCB certification of pediatric nursing professionals provides a host of benefits to patients, families, employers, the public, and the U.S. health care system overall.
RNs and PNPs certified by PNCB have the knowledge, specialization, mindset, and experience to provide the highest standards of patient care. Read the position statement, Optimizing the Health and Well-Being of America’s Children: The Value of PNCB Pediatric Nursing Certification.
Certified Pediatric Nurses (CPN)
- Among registered nurses, Certified Pediatric Nurses (CPNs) represent the best resource to support optimal child health from birth to adolescence in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, schools, community groups, primary care offices, and subspecialty clinics. In a 2020 PNCB survey, 83% of health care leaders stated that they prefer to hire a CPN over a pediatric nurse without the CPN credential.
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioners – Primary Care & Acute Care (CPNP-AC, CPNP-PC)
- In PNCB’s 2020 survey of nursing, physician, and other health care leaders, 85% of leaders stated that they prefer to hire a PNP over a Family Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant for provision of health care to children.
- Acknowledged as trusted advisors for their long-term care of children across the pediatric lifespan, Primary Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (CPNP-PCs) advocate for their patients and work with families and caregivers over multiple years – the "pediatric lifespan of the patient" – to help their children live healthy, happy lives.
- Certified Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (CPNP-ACs) work with children at their most vulnerable moments. They provide care for patients with complex, critical, and chronic illnesses. In PNCB's 2020 Value Chain Research, CPNP-ACs are valued as highly accessible, compassionate, and effective health care providers.
Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialists (PMHS)
- Lack of access to support, services, and providers for children with mental health conditions is a serious problem in the United States. Integrating mental health services into the primary care setting is essential. Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialists (PMHSs) are advanced practice registered nurses with the added expertise to identify the more common developmental, behavioral, and mental health conditions in children and adolescents.
- PMHSs offer a viable solution to addressing the gaps in care. They offer safe, timely care in familiar settings.
