Nurses working with children in an Emergency Department or Paediatric Emergency Department should be competent in a number of areas:

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• The physiological & psychological developmental of children and young people

• The assessment, measuring and monitoring of vital signs58a

• Pain assessment and management

• Medicines management

• Managing the sick and injured child/young person

• Safeguarding children and young people

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Minimum competences can be found in documents such “Emergency Care Framework for Children and Young People in Scotland” and “Maximising Nursing Skills in Caring for Children in Emergency departments.”

A number of universities offer accredited post-registration modules in emergency care of children for Registered Nurse with either an adult or paediatric background.

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The RCN, “Health care service standards in caring for neonates, children and young people” recommends a minimum of one children’s registered nurse – RN (Child) – to be present at all times.

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Further information can be found in the 3rd edition of the RCPCH’s “Standards for Children and Young People in Emergency Care Settings”.

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Autonomous practitioners

Non-medical practitioners, such as emergency nurse practitioners (ENP), work autonomously to see and treat patients. To do this additional training is required.