Let us talk about it: safe adolescent sexual decision making.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss important factors that influence teens and provide guidance for nurse practitioners (NPs) to promote safe adolescent sexual decision making.


METHODS
A selective review of current professional literature and professional practice.


CONCLUSIONS
To promote safe sexual decision making in adolescents, communication with parents, other significant adults, and teens is essential. Being knowledgeable about factors that influence the choices of adolescents and willing to discuss them openly is an important component of NP practice and could make a difference in the lives of many teens.


CONCLUSIONS
NPs are frontline healthcare providers who have many opportunities to promote safe adolescent sexual decision making. This article provides a guide to assist in this work.
Weiss
Josie A
JA
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Treasure Coast Campus, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA. jweiss21@fau.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010358:Patient Participation; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D012736:Sex Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012746:Sexual Abstinence / Q000523:psychology; D012945:Social Values