Help with an essay I have to write for London South Bank Uni to do childrens Nursing

Lozpot · Jun 8, 2004

Plz can ne 1 help - i am desperate, please!!

Lozpot · Jun 8, 2004

Help!!!!!!!!!

suzanne4, RN · Jun 8, 2004

Remember that in caring for a sick child you are also caring for the family members, as well. Parents can either be wonderful or the parents from h***.

And there is not always a happy medium.

So in addition to being the nurse and being able to help the child, or at least trying to, you are also functioning as a little bit of everything else, such as psych (even though they may be seeing someone already) specialist, social worker when they aren't available, etc., etc.

Hope that his helps...........if I think of anything else I will post it in a few minutes.

Good luck. :balloons:

UK2USA · Jun 9, 2004

Don't fret Lozpot....

I did one of these essays for South Bank when I went through the interview process. The main advice to give is that the interviewers want something a little more thoughtful than "I want to help people".

Here are some of my thoughts 10 years after I went through what you are about to go through:

(In no particular order)

*Nursing (of any kind) is emotionally, mentally and physically challenging - this is a positive and a negative aspect.

*Children are not as vocal or as assertive as adults, therefore you will act in roles that will ensure that they are treated with respect and due thought, you will be their advocate, someone they should trust, someone who can answer their questions and prepare them for the hospital experience.

*You will deal with parents and extended family, so interpersonal skills (and assertion) are qualities you should have. Don't forget that the families of these children will be stresed to the eyeballs and your role is to make things as easy for them as possible.

*You will "lead" care... this doesn't mean that you will be giving orders, but that you will need to coordinate the multidiscplinary team (docs, physios, dietitians etc). You must do this with care so that the child is not bombarded, but has steady input throughout the shift.

*You must be confident enough to speak up for what you believe, eg don't let the dr try for the 8th time to get a line in.. give the child a time out and make it a little easier.

*You will need to use basic maths every day.

*You will need to be able to talk to parents when they have been given bad news.

Just a few of the many aspects of paeds. I you need any help, or have any questions then pm me. If you let me know you email address I may be able to email you some more thoughts.

Good luck at the Elephant and Castle!!!!

Emma-Louise · Jun 9, 2004

Hi! I am 17 years old and I am in a similar situation to you. I have been sent this question: "To what extent do the media influence public perception of nurses?"

I have to write a short essay in 30 minutes with my opinions of this question. I am basically lost for words at the moment and I am very nervous but the advice I will give you is the same advice as I have been given and that is: There isn't a right or wrong answer to these type of questions so just put your views accross and make sure you try to include that weather or not the patient is young or old they all need the same caring side of you because every patient is vunrable. GOOD LUCK, I AM SURE THAT YOU WILL BE FINE IF YOU JUST KEEP CALM!

karenG · Jun 9, 2004

Hi! I am 17 years old and I am in a similar situation to you. I have been sent this question: "To what extent do the media influence public perception of nurses?"
I have to write a short essay in 30 minutes with my opinions of this question. I am basically lost for words at the moment and I am very nervous but the advice I will give you is the same advice as I have been given and that is: There isn't a right or wrong answer to these type of questions so just put your views accross and make sure you try to include that weather or not the patient is young or old they all need the same caring side of you because every patient is vunrable. GOOD LUCK, I AM SURE THAT YOU WILL BE FINE IF YOU JUST KEEP CALM!

not easy this one.. just think about the 'carry on nurse' films..... they have given nurses a certain reputation (which I will admit came in very handy as a student nurse :rotfl: ) Think about all the press around the Beverly Allett (not sure I've spelt that right) and the stuff about us being angels. people do see this and think we are angels.............who dont eat or have to pay bills!!

And remember... they want to see if you can string a coherent sentence together with reasonable spelling!!

good luck to both of you.

Karen

Nicky D · Jun 13, 2004

Hi there If I where writing your essay I would include factors like having good communication skills on how the procedures undertaken could help the child but also taking into account that some of the information that is relayed could be very worrying depending upon the demeaner of the perents particullarly the Mother of the child.
good luck,from Nicky D