In advance for LPNs, there is an article about some hospitals closing their pediatric units and turning them into blended pediatric/adult med/surg units.
I want to know what other nurses think about this trend.
To me it seems like a cost cutting measure that once again ignores patient safety in favor of saving $s. I also found it disturbing that some of these units paricularly mentioned hiring new grads, supposedly because they had a 'broad general knowledge base'. My thoughts are that in the new grads case that 'ignorance is bliss'- that they may not really know what they are getting themselves into and not recognize when a situation is not safe practice. Could be I'm over-reacting, but it seemed to me that the opinions expressed in favor were those of management and not those of their floor staff. Thoughts, anyone?
My hospital shut down their Peds wing many years ago. We just couldn't afford to keep it open for 1-2 admits a week. So far it hasn't caused a problem.
My hospital blended the Peds unit with the Surgical Unit many years ago. Until recently we did not have much of a problem becasue we had experienced competent Peds Nurses. Nurses that could teach new Nurses how to care for the Peds kids. We have lost that experiece and are having a more difficult time 'precepting" the new Nurses and maintaining competency. How do you define your Peds Nurses? How many "peds" nurses work a shift? Does everyone know how to "care for" the Peds patient. All our "Peds Nurses" do have PALS.
Closest to this I know of in my life is that I am a patient at a childrens hospital (totally dedicated, whole hospital is kids) have been a patient there since I was 4, am now 20 and am still cared for there.
This hospital will not stop caring for you when you become an adult, which I like
I think it is very different to have an adult on a pediatric unit then to have a child on an adult unit....
I would be very paranoid if I had to take care of a pediatric patient on my med/surg unit. I had a 20 year old the other day and that made me nervous!
frosty65
1 Post
My hospital blended the Peds unit with the Surgical Unit many years ago. Until recently we did not have much of a problem becasue we had experienced competent Peds Nurses. Nurses that could teach new Nurses how to care for the Peds kids. We have lost that experiece and are having a more difficult time 'precepting" the new Nurses and maintaining competency. How do you define your Peds Nurses? How many "peds" nurses work a shift? Does everyone know how to "care for" the Peds patient. All our "Peds Nurses" do have PALS.