Tips for a New Pediatric Nurse (Night Shift)?

[WanderingLeaf]

Hello!

My name is Noah! I recently graduated nursing school with my ADN, and passed the NCLEX-RN a couple of weeks ago. I also recently was hired at a children's hospital for a night shift (7pm-7am) Staff RN position, which I am so very excited about, since pediatrics has been what I've been most passionate about coming out of nursing school!

Our peds clinical rotation was a lot shorter than my other clinical rotations, as it was only five weeks long. That being said, I don't have as much experience being in that environment as I do during, let's say, my 2 Med-Surg clinical rotations (I did learn a TON during the peds rotation, however).

I was wondering, does anyone have any advice for a new, 19-year-old nurse starting out in the pediatric world? One of the things that I've treasured most in my life is the advice of others, especially other nurses during this season of my life. I'm very excited to start pursuing my passion for taking care of children and their families, and I want to be able to do my job to the best of my ability to start off with (knowing full well my limitations as a graduate nurse). Thank you to everyone who takes the time to help me out!

Have a blessed evening!

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

On the night shift, have a discussion with parents (if they are at the bedside) before bed. Some of them have been around the medical block a few dozen times and have very specific things they want. I worked in peds neuro when I worked in the hospital so for my neurosurgical patients or kids with demyelinating diseases or suspected cerebral vascular issues who needed q 4hr neuro checks, I warned the parents before bed that I would have to come in to wake the child at midnight and 4am. If it's a kid with a running IV, I'd let them know that I'd be coming by hourly to check the IV but would try not to wake them up. For chemo kids who needed diaper changes throughout the night, we'd ask if they wanted us to change the diapers or if they were going to wake up to do it. Same for babies who needed to be fed overnight- do you want me or the aide to do it or are you going to feed him? Some parents don't want anyone touching their kid unless they're watching, others view being in the hospital as a break because someone else can do the care they always have to do themselves.