Tips for working with children

verene, MSN · Nov 12, 2016

Posting because I'd like some tips as well. I'll be spending time on a peds unit next quarter.

AliNajaCat · Nov 12, 2016

Suggest you post this in the General Nursing section instead, where you are more likely to get useful answers from experienced peds nurses. Go to the big yellow bar at the top, choose Nurses, then General Nursing.

SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN · Nov 13, 2016

I have recently been on the other side of the bed of nursing due to my 2 year old having persistent but minor illnesses/injuries. I have little experience in pediatrics but my time as a patient's mother taught me a lot of things that I do now for my own adult patients.

So here are my tips, not as a pediatric nurse obviously, but just as patient's mom : )

- if you gain the confidence/trust of the parents, you most likely gain the confidence/trust of the child at the same time

- Be confident. Know what your doing before you go in, ask any necessary questions of the nurse your with before. If the family asks you a question you do not know, reply with a simple I will find out that answer and get back you. But actually get back to them, this instills trust.

- Do not make parents feel stupid or petty for their concerns. As I said my son's issues were minor when compared to most patients they saw on the unit but because all the events were clustered together, my anxiety was through the roof. The nurses who were caring, reassuring that they had this, and I could relax were the ones who made all the difference for me

- Children smell fear and inexperience, I am serious lol they are like animals in that way, especially younger ones. If my 2 year old had a newer nurse who was a bit nervous, it made him way more unsettled. So fake it till you make it sort of thing

- ask if the parents AND the child (if appropriate) if they have any questions when speaking with them.

- know that for most of us (not sure if your a parent) our kids are the ones we would take a bullet for with no questions asked. That kind of love can be irrational, and for good reason, but if a parent seems angry/mad/irritated (as long as they are not verbally assaulting you) then let it roll off your back, ask what you can do to help, and if they say nothing just let them know you are there for them! It does wonders.

You will do great, kids are actually pretty trusting, you have to do more to loose it than to gain it. That's why they are so magical :) I have upmost respect for pediatric nurses, it's not a field I would enjoy working in, but I am so glad there are many nurses that do.