Busy PNPs and their fellow pediatric-focused APRNs recognize how important, yet sometimes difficult it is to maintain current clinical practice in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) has joined with Contemporary Pediatrics to provide additional resources for members to provide the latest guidelines and information in the world of pediatrics through PNP Corner.
PNP Corner

PNP Corner
December 11, 2016
The article “National hospital initiative targets preventable injuries,” in the most recent issue of Contemporary Pediatrics, describes 35 years of impressive work by a nationwide coalition of concerned pediatricians and pediatric trauma surgeons who have championed hospital, school-based, and community-wide initiatives to reduce the prevalence and incidence of unintentional injuries in children.
Let’s prevent parents from becoming newborn screen refusers!
October 24, 2016
I truly fear a day when parents are asked to consent to every routine newborn screening. The outcomes for newborns whose parents refuse newborn screening would be disastrous.
The opioid oxymoron
September 27, 2016
Opioids are known for their powerful pharmacokinetics for pain relief, but are now well recognized for their overuse and abuse through prescriptions provided by healthcare providers. This has created a medical oxymoron: well-meaning pain management as a valued, caring practice for successful recovery from both medical problems and surgical procedures, juxtaposed by the alarming growth of opioids' prescriptive footprint.
Teens open Pandora’s Box with sexting behaviors
August 23, 2016
Many of today’s practicing PNPs grew up during the “difficult and rebellious” adolescent years when teenagers were trying alcohol, marijuana, drag racing, and attempting to access birth control. In retrospect, that adolescent lifestyle was simplistic in comparison to the complex, tumultuous adolescent life of today.
Nonsuicidal self-injury: NPs must make patient safety the priority
July 26, 2016
Significant gaps in the knowledge of EBP are evident as new diagnostic criteria are recognized and evolve in clinical practice. An example of this EBP knowledge gap is the diagnosis of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) that was identified in 2013 as a separate diagnosis in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5).
Zika virus: Arming parents for prevention
June 27, 2016
Over the past several months, we have received information from news reports, local and state departments of health, and from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the Zika virus, a mosquito-transmitted disease, and the devastating outcomes experienced by some pregnant women who contracted the Zika virus during pregnancy.
The digital footprint: A new enigma
May 19, 2016
The Millennial generation grew up using computers in classrooms and at home, thus they embrace a world full of technology that excites, providing instant feedback, gratifications, sometimes sadness, and rapid changes in their everyday world.
Collaborators for change
April 21, 2016
Because it requires forging alliances among all pediatric providers to initiate and effectively change policies to provide quality healthcare for all children and adolescents, this is a tough one: a collaboration that may not be embraced by everyone.
Asthma statistics are screaming at us to provide better care
March 18, 2016
As always, one look at the statistics for any childhood chronic illness, but in particular asthma, and we know we need to do better.
Help teens make 'Smart Decisions' about marijuana
February 16, 2016
In the article, Talking to Teens about Marijuana, Ms Nierengarten reported national statistics that reveal the number of teenagers who self report using marijuana: the statistics are STAGGERING!