What do pediatric nurses want students to know...

[Saalbunch]

Good morning! This summer I will be teaching the theory and clinical portions for our BSN students in pediatrics. I want to hear from you other pediatric nurses in what you would like to see in a student when they are on your floor.

Thank you:redbeathe

[Sariern]

I personally like when nursing students ask a lot of questions. I know not every student will be a peds nurse, and most are afraid & sad when they go to peds. I would rather be a resource to the student than for them to directly give patient care if they know peds is not their forte. Parents and peds nurses are protective of the kids they take care of. They should know that most pediatric medication dosages are wt based, that's for sure! I work for a large teaching hospital and appreciate when instructors ask staff (if the instructor isn't already on staff) what they expect from students.

[Redhead28]

Would like to see students that want to be there. Don't hide, ask if you can do anything for us. Beg us to show you how to do things, we like to teach or we would not be in peds.

[annabeap, MSN, APRN, NP]

Let them know that we appreciate it when they ask for help! If they're uncomfortable with ANYTHING, I'd love to show them tips/tricks/advice. And I don't know the policy with them, but I remember pediatric clinical- anything invasive required supervision from staff or instructor, including medication administration. Me personally, I would like to be present, too. And don't forget about our treatment rooms and any child life specialists available!

Oh, and one of the best things I learned in pediatric clinicals that I use at work... how to wrap those tricky little IV sites. OH! And it's worth adding those extra extension to IV tubing if it's gonna save your site. And scrub scrub scrub those y-sites when attaching a piggyback, those kiddos are dragging their lines all over the place! :)

How exciting! Thanks for asking! :)