Multidisciplinary perspectives on pediatric nurse prescribing: a mixed-methods analysis of attitudes and consensus

Background In China, expanding nursing roles to include nurse prescribing has been proposed as a potential strategy to improve the efficiency of pediatric healthcare. Its implementation requires a clear understanding of how pediatric nurses and physicians view medication safety, professional boundaries, and implementation conditions in child health. Methods A convergent mixed-methods study was conducted among pediatric healthcare professionals from four tertiary hospitals in China. Quantitative data were collected using a validated questionnaire assessing attitudes, perceived benefits, risk perception, collaborative trust, training needs, and support for prescribing scope. Data were analyzed using comparative statistics and logistic regression. Qualitative responses to open-ended questions were examined thematically, and the quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated in a joint display matrix. Results Nurses showed stronger support for nurse prescribing than physicians (4.32 ± 0.67 vs. 2.92 ± 0.75, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified perceived benefits (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.14–3.81, p = 0.018) and training needs (OR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.07–6.16, p = 0.035) as significant positive predictors of support. Both groups agreed most strongly with prescribing for basic, low-risk medications. Integrated findings highlighted three implementation priorities: clear scope definition, standardized training, and legal-regulatory safeguards. Conclusions Pediatric nurses and physicians differed in their overall attitudes, but their shared acceptance of low-risk prescribing suggests a feasible implementation pathway. The findings support a phased model of pediatric nurse prescribing built on interdisciplinary collaboration, structured training, and appropriate regulatory safeguards.