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Professional Development

APSNA is your partner in lifelong learning and career advancement across pediatric surgical nursing. Whether you’re new to the specialty or a seasoned leader, our programs help you build clinical excellence, strengthen leadership and teamwork, and stay current with evolving standards of practice.

What You’ll Find Here

We bring together structured learning, mentorship, and practical tools that translate directly to better care and stronger teams.

  • Clinical Mentorship Program
    Pair with an experienced pediatric surgical nurse for guided growth in clinical judgment, communication, and professional confidence. Mentors and mentees follow a clear structure with goals, checkpoints, and resources to track progress.
  • NP Competency Framework
    A comprehensive competency structure for pediatric surgical nurse practitioners that supports evidence-based practice, patient safety, and measurable performance. Use it to assess skills, plan development, and align with team and organizational goals.
  • Scope & Standards of Practice
    Clear guidance on roles, responsibilities, and professional expectations in pediatric surgical nursing. Align your practice, documentation, and quality initiatives with recognized standards.
  • STEPS: Standardized Toolbox of Education for Pediatric Surgery
    A curated set of practical, high-yield educational resources designed to standardize training and accelerate learning across teams—ideal for onboarding, skill refreshers, and in-service education.
  • Continuing Education (CE) & Webinars
    Live and on-demand programming focused on current topics in pediatric surgical nursing. Earn CE credit while learning from peers and experts; bring timely updates back to your unit.

Who This Is For

  • Staff nurses building specialty expertise
  • Nurse practitioners aligning practice with competencies
  • Educators standardizing onboarding and in-service training
  • Emerging and established leaders strengthening team performance

Why It Matters

  • Better outcomes: Consistent standards and competencies support safer care and clearer communication.
  • Stronger teams: Shared tools, mentorship, and common language improve collaboration and reliability.
  • Career momentum: Structured development plans make growth visible, measurable, and achievable.

How to Get Started

  • Join the Mentorship Program: Indicate your interest to be matched as a mentor or mentee.
  • Download/Access Core Resources: Review the NP Competency Framework and Scope & Standards to anchor your plan.
  • Explore STEPS: Select tools that fit your team’s needs for onboarding, skills refreshers, or quality projects.
  • Register for CE/Webinars: Choose upcoming sessions or watch on-demand to earn credit on your schedule.

Ways to Use These Resources

  • Create a personal development plan aligned to competencies and standards.
  • Build a unit-level onboarding path using STEPS materials.
  • Prepare for a new role or expanded responsibilities through targeted mentorship.
  • Map CE/Webinar participation to specific competency domains or quality goals.

Outcomes You Can Expect

  • Clearer professional expectations and documentation practices
  • Improved transition-to-practice and reduced variability in training
  • Increased confidence in complex pediatric surgical care
  • Demonstrable growth toward leadership and advanced roles
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