The Australia and New Zealand Paediatric Cardiac Nursing Forum: Establishing a Binational Paediatric Cardiac Nursing Community

Abstract

Introduction: Advanced practice and specialty nursing roles are crucial in paediatric cardiac service multidisciplinary teams to deliver high quality care to children with Childhood-onset Heart Disease (CoHD) and their families. Historically, there has been no paediatric cardiac nursing representation at a national level to inform practice and service development and advance identified nursing priorities. Methods: The Australian National Standards of Care for CoHD surgical and nursing working groups identified a shared focus of strengthening paediatric cardiac nursing collaboration in Australia. Strategies to determine forum feasibility, priorities, and governance have included monthly meetings, consultation with the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) and international paediatric cardiac nursing groups, and engagement with academic partners. Results: Established with a surgical focus in November 2021, the Australia and New Zealand Paediatric Cardiac Nursing Forum broadened in early 2023, with current binational engagement of nurses from across nursing grades and specialities, inpatient and outpatient settings, and metro and rural/remote locations. A steering committee of advanced practice nurses from five Australian states and New Zealand has also been established. Engagement with international nursing groups has enabled implementation, outcomes, and sustainability learnings, as well as opportunity for future partnership. Early forum priorities include building community, establishing governance, benchmarking current practices, education resource development, research, and supporting CoHD Standards implementation. Conclusion: A binational paediatric cardiac nursing forum has been established to facilitate a collaborative approach to advancing care, education, and research priorities. Ongoing forum appraisal will be essential to evaluate activities and ensure sustainability.