What can I expect in my pediatric rotation?

[santina44]

Hello all. I am a student, about to start my pediatric rotation. Since I do not know anyone who has gone through this program, I was wondering what kind of illnesses you saw in your pediatric clients. I have no experience in this field and was just curious as to what the majority seems to be.

Thanks!

Santina

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

This time of year, Respiratory.

I saw a lot of fx and URTI.

[ShantheRN, BSN, RN]

It also depends on what unit you're on. Peds can be all over the place.

[nneokill175]

i just finsihed my pediatric cycle. you can expect anything from pneumonia to seizures.

i absolutely loved it. im gonna look into it when i graduate

hope youll have the best experience there too!

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Fractures. Flareups of chronic conditions like asthma and sickle cell. Appendectomy. Tonsillectomy. GI/dehydration and URI. Child abuse victims Meningitis, leukemia. This was the children's ward in a general hospital. If you're in a specialized children's hospital you might see more congenital heart disease, cancer etc., depending on what conditions they treat.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

It really depends on where your clinical (hospital and floor) is. Where I did peds, the kids mostly had conditions that a very small percentage of children have due to the hospital's specialty in treating those conditions.

It was heart-breaking to see the developmental delays of children who have been in the hospital more than at home since birth. The little guys have to stay in their cribs all day due to safety reasons and lack of staff time, so be sure to give them visual, tactile, and auditory stimulation as tolerated and opportunities to practice developing their skills. I spent nearly every moment with my patients that didn't have parents present.

[decembergrad2011, BSN, RN]

I am currently in my OB and peds clinical rotations and I agree with the large amount of fractures. Kids break easily! They also heal easily for the most part.

Lots of typical childhood illnesses as others have stated. I would add cystic fibrosis to that list - which is cool to see, because they have specialized vest treatments that do percussion by vibrating.

Example:

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

It was heart-breaking to see the developmental delays of children who have been in the hospital more than at home since birth. The little guys have to stay in their cribs all day due to safety reasons and lack of staff time, so be sure to give them visual, tactile, and auditory stimulation as tolerated and opportunities to practice developing their skills. I spent nearly every moment with my patients that didn't have parents present.

This is so true.. you wonder how much of their compromise comes from their condition and how much from the hospitalization. The baby I took care of with meningitis developed a pressure ulcer on the back of his head... The breathing tube made it very difficult to position him properly.