Evolving role of pediatric nurse practitioners.

Purpose: To report and interpret findings from national pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) job analysis surveys reflecting the changes in the knowledge and skills required for advanced practice.

Data Sources: National role delineation studies (RDS) conducted by American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in 2003, 2008, and 2011.

Conclusions: Since the first nurse practitioner (NP) program was established in 1965 to train pediatric nurses for advanced practice, the role of the PNP has continued to develop.

Predictors of unprotected intercourse for female adolescents measured at their request for a pregnancy test.

The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of unprotected intercourse in a sample of female adolescents requesting pregnancy testing. A survey was completed by 305 adolescents at a clinic visit. The dependent variable, unprotected sexual intercourse, was measured by self-reported frequency of condom use.

Unmet needs of children with special health care needs in a specialized day school setting.

Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) represent a significant component of the pediatric population. They often present to schools with multiple and increasingly complex health issues, including medical technology dependency. Their daily variation in health status requires close monitoring and communication among caregivers.

Early pregnancy in adolescents: diagnosis, assessment, options counseling, and referral.

Health care providers are faced with many challenges when working with adolescents. Vague symptoms, unreliable menstrual history, and adolescent reluctance to disclose sexual activity present challenges to early diagnosis. When pregnancy is suspected, clinicians need skills for accurate diagnosis, conducting comprehensive assessments, and providing options counseling.

Adolescent pregnancy diagnosis and outcomes: a six-year clinical sample.

Study Objective: To explore pregnancy diagnosis, outcome choice, and time to referral appointment for adolescents.

Design: A descriptive study using retrospective chart review and clinical logs of all positive pregnancy tests between January 2000 and December 2005.

Setting: Adolescent clinic in a hospital-based academic center.