[Cassandra]

I am a senior nursing student in California, and I am interested in pediatric cardiology. I will be doing my senior preceptorship in
the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and I am currently doing research regarding the visitation policies in the PICU. My interest
in this topic stems from the underlying theoretical framework of stress theory as it relates to parents of children in the PICU.

One of the requirements for this semester, is to create or join a forum involving a topic of particular interest to me. I would really
like to start a discussion group regarding different perspectives toward visitation policies in the PICU. This topic contains much controversy, and brings up several ethical issues. I believe that open visitation policies in the PICU are beneficial not only to the well-being of the patient, but serve to reduce the "stress" that parents and family members experience during this time of crisis.

There are many arguements for and against open visitation policies. I would like to discuss them all, and examine how these
different perspectives ultimately affect the overall experience of the child and the parents.

Please respond with any and all reactions, opinions, questions,new ideas, and related topics. I will look forward to "talking" to
anyone who is interested in this particular issue of Pediatric Nursing.

[RONDIN]

CASSANDRA I'M ACRITICAL CARE RN AND ALSO A MOTHER WHOSE INFANT SON SPENT 11 LONG DAYS IN NICU AT A LOCAL CHILDRENS HOSPITAL. THIS PARTICULAR HOSPITAL HAD PRETTY STRICT VISITATION POLICY,WHICH WAS THE REGULAR VISITING HOURS AND IF THEY WERE DOING A PROCEDURE IN THE UNIT OR A NEW BABY ARRIVED EVERYBODY OUT, THIS WAS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE THESE EMERGENCIES MIGHT OCCUR DURING REGULAR VISITATION HOURS AND THIS TIME WAS NOT GIVEN BACK. THE NURSE WERE, HOWEVER VERY FORTHCOMING WITH UPDATES ON MY SON'S PROGRESS.SO I THINK AS LONG AS YOU WELL INFORM THE FAMILY OF THE CHILD, EASE THEIR WORRIES SO TO SPEAK,THESE OCCURANCES MIGHT BE BETTER ACCEPTED.CHILDREN OFTEN DO BETTER WITH THEIR PARENTS IN THE ROOM. OF COURSE IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO JUST IS INTERRUPTING YOUR JOB, THAT IS YOUR CARE OF THEIR CHILD THEY MUST BE ASKED TO LEAVE FOR THAT SHORT TIME.I HAVE TONS OF STORIES ON OPEN VISITATION BUT IN A CCU FROM MY WORKING EXPERIENCE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN. I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU ABIT.

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RCC