[leann0514]

Hi, I have been assigned to write a paper on hospitalization of pre-school age child. I have to do an interview with a nurse that works with this age group or has previously. I only have two questions to ask, but i will also need to put their name/place of employment on my reference page.
Here are my questions just in case you can help...

1. What challenges do you face dealing with hositalization of a pre-schooler?

2. What type of teaching is done with pre-schoolers when they are hospitalized?

Thanks to anyone that can help,
LeAnn

[LuvMyGamecocks]

Not a nurse yet, but I have had a preschooler that required surgery. The part I worried about the most was the anxiety of my child. The staff at the hospital scheduled a pre-op visit for her (she was 2 at the time, having tonsillectomy, adenoectomy (sp?), and ear tubes placed). I was so thoroughly impressed by the way that ALL staff members - nurses, the ENT surgeon, CRNA, everyone - attempted to make it less scary than it could have been.

1. She was shown the children's pre-op waiting area. INCREDIBLE area. They had child-size chairs and couches, a wall full of movies, books, toys and cool posters on the walls. It looked like a playroom!

2. She was introduced to all staff members that were to be involved in her surgery (those in-house, anyway), and they gave big, huge smiles and stickers.

3. She was taken to the OR in a wagon, and she was allowed to take her favorite blanket to the OR with her.

4. The nurses on the floor after surgery were "johnny-on-the-spot" whenever she asked for a popsicle (boy, did she love that!).

Everything about what was being done was explained to her by staff members in the most relatable terms to a preschooler ("You have some yuckies in your throat, and Dr. .....is going to get them all out for you. After you're done, you get to have all the popsicles you want!!)

I'm still in awe......there either had to be some specialized training to deal with the emotional aspect of children's surgery or the staff just had a very keen intuition on how to deal with children.

[wincha]

Originally Posted by leann0514

Hi, I have been assigned to write a paper on hospitalization of pre-school age child. I have to do an interview with a nurse that works with this age group or has previously. I only have two questions to ask, but i will also need to put their name/place of employment on my reference page.
Here are my questions just in case you can help...

1. What challenges do you face dealing with hositalization of a pre-schooler?

2. What type of teaching is done with pre-schoolers when they are hospitalized?

Thanks to anyone that can help,
LeAnn

1. Challenges. Are their parents there and involved? Seperation Anxiety. Fear of strangers. Procedures. Regression ie potty training. Change in bedtime. Change in schedule.

2. All teaching done through play. Teach about procedures through doing, playing, coloring books. Playing with dolls to imitiate what is going on with them. Include family members in play and teaching also.

Email me pm for my work info.