There was a warm welcome in Zadar for the RCN representative and all members of the Paediatric Nursing Associations of Europe (PNAE) at their 34th meeting in Croatia. 
PNAE members learned about children's nursing and nurse education during a series of visits and presentations followed by a tour of Zadar to experience the local cuisine, history and culture.

Croatian Nursing history:
The Croatian Nurses Association (CNA) hosted the meeting and gave a presentation about the history and work of the CNA. 
The CNA was founded in 1926 and the children and young people's section of the CNA in 1978. 
CNA cooperate with other professional societies and associations at home and abroad. They organise courses on patient safety, children's rights and communication in children and young people's services. CNA are currently promoting the computerisation of children and young people's nursing documentation and are involved in projects across the European Union (EU), including educational exchanges of nurses within EU countries.

Croatian children and young people's nursing today:
About 3000 nurses and technicians are working in the field of children and young people's care in the Republic of Croatia
Educational routes lead to qualifications of Registered Nurse, nurses with Masters Degrees and Doctorates,  there is no specific education leading to registration as a children's nurse. Experience and expertise in children and young people's nursing is gained from joining and working with child health teams. 
Education in children and young people's nursing care is encouraged by nurses attending specialised seminars, congresses and courses. An example of this is the next European paediatric congress, the10th Europediatrics, which will be held in Zagreb on the 3rd to the 5th of September, 2020.  

Take home messages from the PNAE visit to Croatia:
The CNA arranged visits to  children and young people's services in Zadar hospital and to the Zadar University Nurse Education department.
PNAE members heard from the staff and students providing care in the wards, emergency department and neonatal unit.  about the training, education and service improvements.
Many of the professional issues being experienced in children and young people’s nursing in the UK are experienced in varying degrees throughout Europe. Current contemporary issues include the increasing complexity of the management of children’s conditions and the education, knowledge, skills and experience required by nursing staff to meet the children and families’ changing needs.
PNAE strongly believe that it is crucial to exchange ideas and mutual thinking to continue to help children's nurses and other health teams to improve nursing care for children and young people. 

Want to know more about the PNAE?

Visit PNAE via the RCN Children and Young People’s webpage