How to keep up on nursing skills

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I'm a novice nurse with my BSN working in the home with pediatric patients. I work 8p-8a with a patient that has a g tube. Its pretty much just a monitoring job. I don't utilize my skills really at all except for assessment and med administration. I want to work in a pediatric hospital in the future (maybe a year or less?).

My question: Is there some type of website to keep up on nursing skills, specifically for peds? Maybe modules or something? Any advice would be appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Most people on this website will tell you that skills, such as IV starts,

catheters, dressing changes, other hands on skills, can be learned on

the job. But, there are also plenty of YouTube videos that go over IV

starts, blood draws, and whatever you want to know about.

In the job you have now, you are using your assessment skills. That's

good. Being able to assess is the one skill you don't want to ever stop

practicing.

Do you just have the one child? If so, how complex are they?

Stick with this job for at least a year; employers like to see that you

will stay around. Then look for that peds job. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics w/rehab, LTC, hospice patient.

I have no experience with pediatrics and am not sure about any specific websites. However, is it possible to take on another assignment or two, children with different needs than the one you have currently? Having more than one client may be a way to expand your skills.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the input and advice. Yes I plan on staying here for at least a year. And yes I have the same patient, not complex at all. She was born premature at about 28 weeks but had no medical problems after DC with the exception of severe reflux. She wouldnt eat when starting solids around one and by two years old she wasn't gaining enough weight. They think she has some sensory issues with eating as well as some stomach peristalsis. So at two years old they decided to give her a g tube. Family has tried eating programs and such at CHOP with no progress so shes still on the gt. Other than that shes a normal functioning, vibrant four year old. It would just be nice to keep up on some of my medical education.

As for taking on more cases I already work 48 hours a week with her so thats not possible right now, but maybe in the future.

In the future I'd like to be a NICU NP

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment