NAPNAP’s Pediatric Nursing Academy (PNA) is a global initiative advancing pediatric education, competency assessment and professional development through an internationally recognized micro-credential. Developed with pediatric nursing experts, health care leaders and professional organizations, PNA helps nurses validate their pediatric knowledge, expand career opportunities and improve outcomes for children and families worldwide.

Our foundational NAPNAP Pediatric Essentials Micro-credential evaluates applied knowledge, clinical skills and judgment against global pediatric care standards. Through accessible, stackable learning pathways, nurses and others can build specialized expertise, demonstrate competency and advance their careers in pediatric health care.

We collaborate with health systems, ministries of health, academic institutions and nursing leaders to create scalable solutions that strengthen the global pediatric workforce and improve access to high-quality pediatric care.

Advancing Pediatric Nursing Education Worldwide

PNA is powered by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), a global leader in pediatric nursing education, leadership and advocacy. NAPNAP is dedicated to ensuring all infants, children, adolescents and young adults receive equitable, evidence-based, high-quality care.

In 2025, NAPNAP partnered with TruMerit (formerly CGFNS International), a global leader in health care workforce credentialing and competency recognition. Together, the organizations are expanding access to high-quality pediatric education and credentialing, particularly in regions facing critical pediatric workforce shortages.

Through this partnership, NAPNAP and TruMerit aim to:

  • Expand access to pediatric nursing education and competency-based credentialing
  • Strengthen pediatric workforce capacity worldwide
  • Support professional mobility through globally recognized credentials
  • Promote evidence-based, culturally responsive pediatric care
  • Establish a sustainable framework for pediatric nursing competency recognition

Addressing the Global Pediatric Workforce Gap

Around the world, children face significant health risks due to shortages of health professionals with specialized pediatric training. Many pediatric services are delivered by providers without formal pediatric education, creating gaps in quality, continuity and age-appropriate care.

The World Health Organization's State of the World's Nursing 2025 report highlights persistent inequities in education, competency development and workforce recognition that threaten progress in maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health.

PNA addresses these challenges by:

  • Expanding access to pediatric-focused education worldwide
  • Recognizing pediatric competency through global micro-credentials
  • Supporting credential portability and workforce mobility
  • Advancing research and innovation in pediatric workforce development
  • Closing gaps between general nursing education and pediatric specialty practice
  • Improving access to care in underserved and resource-limited communities

Our Action Plan

PNA’s assessment-based NAPNAP Pediatric Essentials Micro-credential measures applied knowledge, skills and professional behaviors against globally relevant standards focused on patient safety and quality care.

This portable credential provides employers, regulators and health systems with a trusted indicator of pediatric competency while helping nurses and others demonstrate expertise throughout their careers.

NAPNAP delivers evidence-based pediatric education, while TruMerit ensures psychometric rigor and credential quality. Together, they are building a pathway of stackable credentials, digital badges and advanced pediatric specialty micro-credentials to support lifelong learning and strengthen the global pediatric nursing workforce.