Advice for Someone Who isn't Child Friendly?

[hawkeyeginger]

Hello, allnurse members! I'm going to start clinicals soon, and although I won't be doing my ped's rotation until my third semester, I was wondering if you have any advice for someone who doesn't have much experience with kids. Everywhere I lived, I was surronded by kids my own age and most of my family lives far away so I was never around cousins when they were younger. Although that is usually a good thing, it didn't leave much experience with younger kids.

Any advice on how to connect with kids when I do interact with them?

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Wow I think I could have written this post. I have little to no interaction with kids and I dont mind keeping it that way for a little while. When I had to do my peds rotation the nurse noticed I was very off with the kids but I told her right away my situation and she just laughed about it. I kinda took a back seat for that day and I dont think I missed much.

[hawkeyeginger]

Well, I do want to gain experience with kids. I want to push myself out of my comfort zone to maybe make myself a better nurse.

[JBudd, MSN]

Treat kids as people, not miniature toys/dolls. Kids know when you're being insincere.

Tell them the truth: yes this will hurt a little bit. or a lot. This is what I'm going to do, and I will tell you before I do anything.

Let Mom hold the kid during the exam. Sometimes I put the stethescope on the Mom before I do on the kid, makes it less threatening.

I often ask about pets, or school, or if they have a pink rhinocerous in the back yard. Kids like to be silly sometimes, and hospitals are just too dang serious. I have them guess what kind of animals I have at home (at one point that was a snake, a chinchilla, 3 dogs, cat and a hamster!). Play peekaboo with little ones, it may take a while, but if you can get a smile or chuckle the kid will relax a little around you.

When you start your peds lectures, look for the child psych study about infants and faces; even babies can tell the difference between a smile and a frown.

[anonymousstudent]

J's advice was perfect!

Pair up with another student or a nurse who has a good bedside manner and watch what they do. Sometimes when somebody models an interaction for you it becomes much more manageable than just trying to imagine what you should do.

I can't WAIT for my peds rotation!!! :)

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

I second JBudd's advice. There's really no way to fake it, so your best bet is to just be yourself (well, a G rated version of yourself) - because kids are the ultimate BS detectors and you're bound to run into a few who haven't yet acquired all of the social filters you've become accustomed to as an adult (like tact). They have an honesty that can be either frightening (if you are unsure of yourself) or refreshing (if you embrace who you are and who they are).

[hawkeyeginger]

Thanks for the advice! Now if only I can remember it when I am in the clinical setting! hehe

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

This varies so much on the kids. When I took my daughter to her 3 year old check up the pediatrician was really nice and friendly, tried to talk to her on her level, problem with that is she was 3 but thought she was 13. After he questioned her she looked at him and cocked an eye brow and said "I a big girl not a baby, don't talk like that." He did everything right though, and most 3 year olds, how he talked would have worked great. So it's hard to tell what kind of kid you will get. You have been given a lot of great advice. Good luck!