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The Journal of Pediatric Nursing: Nursing Care of Children and Families is a bimonthly peer-reviewed clinical journal dedicated to advancing the nursing care of infants, children, adolescents, and their families. Often referred to in academic literature searches as the pediatric nursing journal or the nursing journal of pediatrics, this publication serves as an international forum for clinical investigations, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement. Published by Elsevier under the W.B. Saunders imprint, the journal bridges pediatric health research with bedside nursing workflows and healthcare delivery across acute, ambulatory, and community settings.
What it is
The Journal of Pediatric Nursing is an established international nursing journal founded in 1986. Researchers and clinicians search for this publication under several phrasing variations, including pediatric journal of nursing, journal for pediatric nursing, nursing pediatric journal, and pediatrics nursing journal. All these query variants designate the official scholarly serial registered under Print ISSN 0882-5963 and Electronic ISSN 1532-8449, indexed under National Library of Medicine (NLM) Unique ID 8607529.
The publication releases six issues per volume year on a bimonthly schedule. Its core mission is disseminating empirical, family-centered nursing research that improves clinical, developmental, and psychosocial outcomes for pediatric populations. Coverage spans neonatal care transitions, pediatric oncology, acute infections, chronic disease self-management, adolescent mental health, and pediatric palliative care.
Who runs it and what it covers
The journal is published by Elsevier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and serves as the official publication of two prominent professional organizations: the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) and the Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society (PENS). Editorial leadership is directed by Editor-in-Chief Mandie Foster, PhD, RN, supported by an international board of nurse scientists and pediatric clinical specialists.
The journal’s scope encompasses the developmental lifespan from birth through adolescence, structured around family-centered care. Core thematic areas include:
- Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Outcomes: Testing and translating nursing protocols, pain management scales, patient safety bundles, and pediatric medication administration practices.
- Quality Improvement (QI): Rigorous clinical QI initiatives that reduce hospital-acquired conditions, prevent errors, and optimize pediatric nursing handoffs.
- Developmental and Psychosocial Health: Research examining child development, behavioral health interventions, pediatric chronic illness management, and family coping mechanisms.
- Family-Centered Care Systems: Nursing strategies that actively incorporate parents and siblings into care planning and discharge readiness.
- Pediatric Nursing Theory and Education: Methodological papers, educational innovations, and theoretical models that inform pediatric nurse preparation and clinical practice.
The bibliographic and indexing specifications below summarize the journal’s official record:
| Specification Parameter | Official Journal Record |
|---|---|
| Full Official Title | Journal of Pediatric Nursing: Nursing Care of Children and Families |
| Publisher & Imprint | Elsevier / W.B. Saunders (Philadelphia, PA) |
| Official Affiliations | Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN); Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society (PENS) |
| Editor-in-Chief | Mandie Foster, PhD, RN |
| Inception Year & Volume | 1986 (Vol. 1, No. 1, February 1986) |
| Publication Frequency | Bimonthly (6 issues per volume year) |
| NLM Unique ID / Medline TA | 8607529 / J Pediatr Nurs |
| ISSN (Print / Electronic) | 0882-5963 / 1532-8449 |
| Major Indexing | MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science (SCIE & SSCI) |
| Publishing Model | Hybrid (Subscription / Gold Open Access) |
How to search or use it
Authors and researchers interact with the Journal of Pediatric Nursing via Elsevier’s ScienceDirect database and the Editorial Manager submission portal. Authors preparing submissions should follow these verified steps:
- Locate the Official Journal Portal: Access the journal on ScienceDirect or via the Society of Pediatric Nurses portal. The sign-in link is located in the top-right header for registered users, SPN members, or institutional patrons.
- Browse and Search Recent Content: Use the ScienceDirect search box to query keywords across current issues and archives dating to 1986, filtering by publication year, article type, or open access status.
- Consult the Guide for Authors: Review formatting rules, structural requirements, word limits (typically 3,500 words for original research, excluding abstract and references), and reference styling in the official guide.
- Align with Reporting Guidelines: Structure manuscripts according to EQUATOR Network standards: STROBE for observational studies, CONSORT for clinical trials, and SQUIRE 2.0 for quality improvement projects.
- Verify Pediatric Ethics and Assent: Document institutional review board (IRB) approvals. Studies involving minors must document parental or legal guardian consent and developmentally appropriate child assent.
- Access Editorial Manager: Navigate to the journal’s Editorial Manager platform and link an author ORCID profile before initiating a manuscript submission.
- Upload Required Manuscript Components: Submit all required modular files, including the blinded title page, blinded manuscript text, conflict of interest declarations, and author contribution statements.
- Select Open Access or Subscription Route: Following successful peer review and acceptance, select either traditional subscription publication with zero author charges or Gold open access by paying the applicable article processing charge (APC) or verifying institutional agreement coverage.
Strengths and limits
Evaluating the Journal of Pediatric Nursing involves examining its specific operational strengths alongside its structural boundaries:
Strengths
- Comprehensive Indexing: The journal is indexed in MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and the Web of Science (SCIE and SSCI), ensuring high visibility.
- Professional Society Integration: Affiliation with the Society of Pediatric Nurses and PENS provides direct clinical dissemination to practicing bedside nurses and clinical specialists.
- Flexible Publishing Economics: Operating as a hybrid journal, it allows authors without dedicated grant funding to publish under the subscription model at $0 cost, while supporting immediate open access when required by funder mandates.
- Family-Centered Focus: Unlike general medical journals, JPN prioritizes the family unit, welcoming qualitative, mixed-methods, and nursing intervention scholarship.
Limits
- Open Access APC Cost: For Gold Open Access, Elsevier’s list APC is $3,560 USD (excluding taxes), which is a significant cost if the author lacks institutional funding.
- Subscription Paywalls: Articles published under the subscription track remain behind paywalls, requiring an institutional subscription or SPN/PENS membership for full-text access.
- Strictly Nursing Scope: Purely biomedical or animal laboratory studies lacking clinical nursing implications are rejected during preliminary screening, in accordance with clinical journal publishing standards.
Alternatives
Authors evaluating where to publish or read pediatric health scholarship should consider alternative peer-reviewed titles. The table below outlines key characteristics across related publications:
| Journal Title | Publisher | Affiliated Organization | Core Focus & Scope | Access Model | Indexing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journal of Pediatric Nursing | Elsevier | Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) & PENS | Family-centered pediatric care, EBP, QI, child development | Hybrid ($0 subscription / $3,560 APC) | MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, WoS |
| Pediatric Nursing | Jannetti Publications | Independent / Clinical Practice | Clinical pediatric nursing practice, continuing education | Subscription / Hybrid | MEDLINE, CINAHL |
| Journal of Specialists in Pediatric Nursing | Wiley | Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nursing (AFPN) | Pediatric advanced practice nursing, academic research | Hybrid ($0 subscription / Gold OA option) | MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, WoS |
| Journal of Child Health Care | SAGE Publishing | Independent international child health | Interprofessional child health, holistic pediatric care | Hybrid ($0 subscription / Gold OA option) | MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus |
| Journal of Pediatric Health Care | Elsevier | National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) | Primary and acute pediatric advanced practice nursing | Hybrid ($0 subscription / Gold OA option) | MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, WoS |
FAQ
Is the Journal of Pediatric Nursing indexed in PubMed and MEDLINE?
Yes. The Journal of Pediatric Nursing is fully indexed in MEDLINE and PubMed under the official NLM title abbreviation J Pediatr Nurs (NLM Unique ID: 8607529). Articles appear in PubMed upon electronic pre-publication by Elsevier.
What is the difference between the Journal of Pediatric Nursing and Pediatric Nursing journal?
While both are respected publications, the Journal of Pediatric Nursing is published by Elsevier as the official journal of the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN), emphasizing original academic research and family-centered care. *Pediatric Nursing* is published by Jannetti Publications and emphasizes clinical practice updates, bedside skills, and continuing nursing education credits.
How much does it cost to publish in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing?
Publishing in the journal is completely free ($0 author fee) under the standard subscription track. Authors who choose or are mandated to publish Gold Open Access pay an Article Publishing Charge (APC) of $3,560 USD (as listed in Elsevier’s official fee schedules, excluding applicable local taxes). Many authors qualify for fee waivers or coverage through institutional Read & Publish agreements or Research4Life programs.
Who edits the Journal of Pediatric Nursing?
The journal is led by Editor-in-Chief Mandie Foster, PhD, RN, alongside an international editorial board of nurse scientists and pediatric clinical specialists affiliated with the Society of Pediatric Nurses and academic institutions worldwide.
What manuscript types does the journal accept?
The journal accepts original research manuscripts, quality improvement projects adhering to SQUIRE 2.0 standards, evidence-based practice implementations, systematic reviews, theoretical papers, and guest editorials focused on the nursing care of children and their families.
Sources
- National Library of Medicine. NLM Catalog: Journal of Pediatric Nursing (NLM ID: 8607529; ISSN: 0882-5963 / 1532-8449). NCBI E-Utilities Database. Accessed November 9, 2026. https://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/esummary.fcgi?db=nlmcatalog&id=8607529&retmode=json
- Society of Pediatric Nurses. Journal of Pediatric Nursing Overview and Member Access. SPN Official Portal. Accessed November 9, 2026. https://www.pedsnurses.org/journal-of-pediatric-nursing
- Elsevier. Journal of Pediatric Nursing: Nursing Care of Children and Families. ScienceDirect Official Journal Overview and Article Publishing Charge Schedule. Accessed November 9, 2026. https://www.elsevier.com/journals/journal-of-pediatric-nursing/0882-5963
