Peds clinicals

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I start my clinicals in peds next week and was looking for any advice that may be helpful with these little patients. We're learning the basics of communicating with them and their families and the differences in skills and procedures compared to the adult patients but I'm open to any good tips that you may have that helped with communication or skills.

Thanks a lot,

Ginyer

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I start peds. clinicals in 2 weeks would love some tips if anyone have some.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I start mine in 2 weeks as well! Even though I don't have experience with children in the role of a nurse, I have lots of other experience from babysitting, my own son, and nieces and nephews galore lol. So here's my 2 cent or whatever it's worth. If the child doesn't seem all that interested in what you have to say, get down to their eye level. Smile often to help them be at ease around you. Have you ever noticed how sometimes children will be trying to hold a conversation with someone and the adult just dismisses them midsentence for whatever reason? That really irritates me. Make sure you listen to them with your whole attention and respond to them. Sounds simple enough, yet some people just don't do it. And keep your eyes open to things that might interest them. For instance if the little girl you are trying to asses is wearing a Lilo & Stitch watch, you can probably talk about Disney movies to help her feel comfortable with talking to you. Hope this helps somewhat. I'm interested myself in hearing tips on getting kids to cooperate during assessments and skills. Good luck.

...Jennifer...

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Specializes in ED.

It helps alot to put yourself in the parents shoes. You're life and your world, your reason for living and getting up in the morning is sick, and in pain. They are poked day in and day out. And you are confused. One person comes in and says one thing, another person says another thing. And now all of these nursing students are coming in to "practice" on your child.

To be most effective at communicating with a child, you must be able to communicate with the parents. That is huge when taking care of someone like an infant, you will deal with the parents a whole bunch.

Then take into consideration what age they are. For an infant, dont' come in and just start assessing physically. Start by introducing yourself ot the parents first. Then start playing with the infant (say maybe around that age of stranger anxiety). Then they can build trust in you so you can do your work.

A child from about 8-9 months (approximatly) to about 2 years (or so) has stranger anxiety. You might have to do examinatoins with the parents holding the child if nessessary. Don't feel bad about it, stranger anxiety is a good thing to have. You could let them play with the stethescope before listening to lung sounds or have a container of bubbles and have her pop bubbles as a game.

With 3 year olds you should introduce yourself. They might have a sense of what a nurse is and what a doctor is. Just say "my name is ______ and I'm your nurse. I'm going to take care of you today" Get down on their level, eye level, and ask them questions about themselves, and what they like to do. What is their favorite color? Do they like to dance? Just start a basic conversation. With a 3 year old though, the conversation will probably consist of you asking simple quesoitns and them just simply answering the question.

You'll get the hang of it. I had a class mate who told the rest of the class that any child ages 3 and under can't express feelings of pain. I told him under no uncertain terms that even newborns express pain. Every child expresses pain. That is a very important assessment on a child. And alot of children won't tell you that they are in pain. I have three kids so I know hehe. You have to be specific and not just ask "are you in pain". you have to say something like, "does it hurt where I have my finger?" Do you have an owie over here?

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My peds instructor told us to never forget "children are not mini adults". Depending on the child's age they may not be able to tell you that it hurts or use a scale of one to ten. There are other pain scales such as the smiley face or the poker chip method. We also used little blinking toys (rings or necklaces, stuff they sell at concerts or raves) when we did our assessment. Often times the kids were mesmerized by the blinking light and it was much easier to get it done with. Also don't ever tell them something won't hurt when it really does! Honesty is important! If they are old enough, try and explain what's happening or even let them hear their own heart beat with the scope. Give them choices when you can, it makes them feel important to! Good Luck!

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Don't ever lie to them - kids ALWAYS remember if you lie to them and will never trust you again.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Congratulations to all of you starting clinicals soon. :)

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Specializes in Peds - playing with the kids.

Hi,

From a peds nurse:

:) don't lie (they remember everything)

:) Include the parents, but if the child is old enough, offer choices

:) Cute bandaids and stickers go a long way to forgiveness

:) Talk to them in their terms (tummy aches will get more responses than abdominal pain)

:) Don't let them manipulate you either (especially those teens!!)

:) When you see that adorable little out of control 3 year old girl - who talks back to her mom - and the mom lets her get away with it - walk out of the room and think to yourself - can't wait to see what she is like at 15 :uhoh3: .

:) Don't know if you are doing meds - everything is mg/kg

Good luck in peds!!

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Kids love stickers!

Putting a band-aid over a nonexistant wound can help calm children in the 3-ish age group. They fear body mutilation.

Distract the child of you are doing a painful procedure. Ask them their what their favorite TV show/character or video game or activity is.

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Hi guys, thanks for all the advice. Our instructors gave us a lot of those same tips so they must help. I'm really looking forward to these clinicals. I'm a little terrified, but hopefully everything will go smoothly. I have psych clinicals the second half of this semester. I was told I can handle just about anything once I get thru my peds clinicals. Wish me luck and good luck to everyone else this semester. Hopefully we'll be taking finals before we know it.

Thanks again and still open to any more advice,

Ginyer

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Thanks for the tips!

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Couple of tips I've picked up in the ER:

Include parents.

Introduce yourself.

They are not little adults.

Get to their eye level.

Explain what you are going to do in kid friendly terms.

Having a kid hum during temp. taking (keeps thermometers in little mouths.)

Know your cartoons.

Provide a distraction (Pick a boo, flashing jewelry, noise makers.)

Take a bottle of bubbles with you and have kids play with them during a procedure, sometimes it helps.

Sing or hum to younger kids, it can fascinate them.

Listen to those that have gone before you.

Never underestimate stickers!!! :balloons:

Congratulations on reaching clinicals

Billie

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