Pediatric Cardiac Nursing is a highly specialised field that supports infants, children and adolescents with congenital and acquired heart disease across inpatient, outpatient and community settings. Nurses in this discipline play a central role in monitoring hemodynamics, administering complex therapies, educating families and coordinating multidisciplinary care throughout the entire trajectory of cardiac illness. As surgical, interventional and medical outcomes continue to improve, more children are living longer with repaired or palliated heart defects, making specialised nursing expertise increasingly important. Many professionals therefore look for focused sessions on paediatric cardiac care when selecting a cardiology conference that addresses not only physicians’ needs but the broader team perspective. This session highlights how nursing practice aligns with the goals of high-quality pediatric cardiology services and long-term family-centred care.

The session begins by exploring the unique physiological and developmental considerations of caring for neonates, infants and older children with heart disease. Attendees review assessment of vital signs, perfusion, respiratory status, feeding tolerance and fluid balance in different age groups, along with recognition of early warning signs that may precede decompensation. Special emphasis is placed on postoperative care following cardiac surgery, including pain assessment, wound care, chest-drain management, ventilatory weaning, mobilization and infection prevention in high-acuity environments.

Medication management and technology support form another core component. Participants learn about inotropes, diuretics, anticoagulation and antiarrhythmic drugs commonly used in paediatric cardiac units, as well as safe administration practices and monitoring for adverse effects. The session also discusses central venous access, arterial lines, telemetry monitoring and support for devices such as temporary pacing wires, ventricular assist devices and extracorporeal support, with a focus on maintaining safety and comfort.

Family education and psychosocial support are woven throughout the programme. Nurses often act as primary communicators, helping families understand diagnoses, procedures, home-care instructions and signs that warrant urgent medical review. Strategies for supporting parents coping with long hospital stays, uncertainty and the emotional impact of a child’s heart condition are examined, including coordination with psychologists, social workers and child-life specialists.

Looking to the future, the session highlights advanced practice roles, nurse-led clinics, telehealth follow-up, transition programmes for adolescents moving to adult congenital services and opportunities for research and quality-improvement initiatives led by nursing teams. Additional emphasis is placed on continuing professional development and team-based learning so that paediatric cardiac nurses can maintain high standards, act as vigilant advocates and contribute meaningfully to multidisciplinary heart-care pathways. By strengthening clinical assessment skills, communication techniques and leadership capacity within nursing teams, this session aims to inspire practical improvements on the ward, in clinics and in the community, ultimately delivering safer care and better long-term outcomes for children living with heart disease everywhere.