Student never worked Orthopaedics... advise sort!

[Jellibum]

hi all,

just wondering if the eyes and ears of experienced paeds nurses out there can help me out.

i'm heading to an orthopaedics ward and i've never worked paeds before.

patients treated in this unit have unusual and specialised orthopaedic conditions - like what?? i have no idea what this could mean... club foot??

many children come to the ward for correction of limb abnormalities present from birth and for procedures which may improve their ability to mobilise. does anyone have any help for me as to what kind of conditions i may come into contact with, and common nursing problems/complications - respiratory problems??

the age group of patients ranges from infants to adolescents. most of the patients are confined to bed, requiring total nursing care. we also have a high number of patients with disabilities.

how do i work with traction!!???

i'm just nervous and scared, not b/c i haven't worked paeds before, more becasue i've never worked this kind of ward before.

any help would be appreiciated! (tips too!)

thanks

~jelli

[uk_nurse]

well im a paeds nurse and work on a trauma and orthopaedic ward. Its great. There is no need to be scared. when i qualified i hadnt worked on an orthopaedic ward before, so i know how ur feeling. The main things on our ward are returning from theatre and observing them and looking for compartment syndrome i.e doing circulatory observations checking colour, warmth, sensation,movement, swelling.Traction thats another matter, putting it up. It is difficult at first but as you get more experience you will be fine. Parents on our ward tend to stay with children so they do the hygiene. Legs that are in traction have to be observed daily as there is a risk of pressure sores so its important to take the 'bandage' off carefully and look for sore areas.

You should be fine, you will learn as you go along. Good luck and enjoy it.

[rnpeds]

as you can tell from the spelling i am from the us. you have a wonderful opportunity before you. i am an educator at a pediatric/orthopedic hospital in the midwest. we see all kinds of things at out place. we do take care of children with club foot, those requiring limb lengthening procedures, spinal fusions as well as many other conditions. the kids are usually upbeat and delightful to work with. believe me, i learn as much from them as they do from me. just remember that areas such as skin care and toileting are really important. also good nutrition to help the healing. if you can, involve parents or ask how they care for their child at home-after all they are the experts when it comes to knowing what their child wants! i wish you much success in your new career path.

rnpeds :balloons:

hi all,

just wondering if the eyes and ears of experienced paeds nurses out there can help me out.

i'm heading to an orthopaedics ward and i've never worked paeds before.

patients treated in this unit have unusual and specialised orthopaedic conditions - like what?? i have no idea what this could mean... club foot??

many children come to the ward for correction of limb abnormalities present from birth and for procedures which may improve their ability to mobilise. does anyone have any help for me as to what kind of conditions i may come into contact with, and common nursing problems/complications - respiratory problems??

the age group of patients ranges from infants to adolescents. most of the patients are confined to bed, requiring total nursing care. we also have a high number of patients with disabilities.

how do i work with traction!!???

i'm just nervous and scared, not b/c i haven't worked paeds before, more becasue i've never worked this kind of ward before.

any help would be appreiciated! (tips too!)

thanks

~jelli

[Jellibum]

Thankx guys for all your helpful advise. im not so strssed any more and will provide up dates, if you like when i head out to my placement in the next few weeks.

~jelli