Pediatric health nursing has emerged as a critical pillar of nursing science, education and clinical practice since the founding of the five decades ago (Kutcher & Wei, 2015). It is evident that children's health needs are uniquely complex due to their rapid developmental changes, dependency on caregivers, and vulnerability to environmental, social, and economic determinants (Majrabi, 2022). This branch of nursing requires a multidimensional approach that blends acute clinical competencies with a deep understanding of psychosocial and developmental needs (Kutcher & Wei, 2015). Over many years, pediatric nurses have been central to shaping child health outcomes through direct care, policy advocacy, education and research, evolving in response to changing epidemiological trends, technological innovations and health policy reforms (Andermann, 2018). Pediatric nurses are trusted partners in the health journeys of children and families (Jones & Tucker, 2016), serving in settings that include hospitals, schools, and communities (Andermann, 2018).

There are disparities in access, outcomes, and resource distribution that continue to affect millions of children worldwide. There is an increased risk for preventable illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malnutrition among children in low- and middle-income countries (Wellbery et al., 2018). In comparison, issues such as mental health disorders, obesity and the effects of climate change have gained prominence, requiring new models of care among children in high-income countries (Majrabi, 2022). These challenges highlight the ongoing need for pediatric nursing to adapt and expand its reach.

It is evident that pediatric nursing stands at a crucial inflection point, reflecting on the past and looking towards the future (Jones & Tucker, 2016). Telehealth, wearable devices, artificial intelligence and genomics are transforming the landscape of healthcare delivery (Wellbery et al., 2018). At the same time, shifting family dynamics, evolving societal expectations and complex global threats such as pandemics and climate change call for renewed focus on the ethical, equitable and sustainable delivery of care (Abuhammad, 2022a, Abuhammad, 2022b).

Evidence-based practice (EBP) has fundamentally reshaped pediatric by ensuring that pediatric interventions and protocols are informed by the latest and most robust scientific evidence. This caused improving patient safety, better health outcomes, and enhancing family satisfaction. For example, EBP guides immunization schedules, pain management protocols, infection control measures, and developmental care standards, ensuring consistency and efficacy in pediatric settings (Abuhammad, 2022a). But there were many barriers to widespread EBP adoption. These barriers include limited access to research resources in low-resource settings, insufficient time for literature review due to heavy workloads, and a lack of institutional support for nurse-led research initiatives (Abuhammad et al., 2020). Furthermore, expanding the role of pediatric nurses can be limited by regulatory restrictions, inter-professional hierarchies, and inconsistencies in scope of practice across countries. This requires aligning clinical excellence with compassionate care and scientific inquiry (Kutcher & Wei, 2015).