[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.