The College of Nursing, represented by the Maternal and Child Health Department, has launched the National Pediatric Nursing Educators Forum under the patronage of Her Highness Sayyida Dr. Muna bint Fahd Al Said, Assistant Vice-Chancellor for International Cooperation, with the presence of a number of academics and specialists. Entitled “Shaping the Future: Emerging Trends in Pediatric Nursing”, the forum brings together pediatric nursing educators and stakeholders to explore contemporary challenges and opportunities shaping child health care.
The forum aims to engage pediatric stakeholders in advancing climate action as a critical pillar of child health and sustainable development. It seeks to foster awareness, advocacy, and innovation to safeguard the well-being of children today while protecting the health of future generations. By linking pediatric nursing practice with broader sustainability goals, the forum underscores the profession’s expanding role in addressing complex global health challenges that directly affect children and families.
In her welcoming address, Dr. Huda bint Salim Al-Nou’mani, Dean of the College of Nursing, highlighted the importance of the forum as a national platform for reflection and dialogue. She noted that the forum invites pediatric nursing educators to critically examine emerging trends in education and practice, emphasising that nurses play a central role in advocating for children, supporting families, and delivering compassionate, evidence-informed care. She stressed that strengthening pediatric nursing education is essential to ensure that care remains scientifically sound, humane, respectful, and responsive to the diverse needs of children.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Zeinab bint Nasser Al-Azri from the Maternal and Child Health Department, who focused on emerging trends in pediatric nursing and their significance for children and families alike. Her address shed light on the evolving scope of pediatric nursing, including the growing emphasis on preventive care, holistic family engagement, and interprofessional collaboration. She highlighted how these trends contribute to improving children’s health outcomes, enhancing family well-being, and empowering families as active partners in care, while also preparing nurses to respond effectively to social, technological, and environmental changes influencing child health.
The forum features a series of thematic sessions addressing key areas in contemporary pediatric nursing. The first session focuses on family-centred care in pediatric nursing, examining the integration of family-centred approaches in managing pediatric obesity and exploring chronic illness and quality of life from the family’s perspective. The second session addresses the promotion of mental health among children and adolescents, with discussions on the impact of technology and social media on youth mental health, as well as the importance of early detection, timely intervention, and the pivotal role of pediatric nurses in mental health promotion. The third and final session approaches child health nursing through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting the health impacts of climate change on children and exploring strategies for building climate-resilient and sustainable pediatric healthcare systems.
An accompanying exhibition is being held alongside the forum, providing an interactive space to showcase initiatives, research projects, and innovative practices related to pediatric nursing and child health. The exhibition further enriches the forum experience by promoting knowledge exchange and highlighting practical contributions that support the advancement of pediatric nursing education and practice at the national level.