Being a nurse means taking care of patients and advocating for the best care for them, and this is very much true across all different branches of nursing. This being said, it will come as no surprise that different areas do require different expertise. Treating children, adults, and seniors will all come with different challenges, and will require different approaches.
For babies, toddlers, and children, pediatric nurses can make a significant difference to the quality of their care for a multitude of reasons. Because of this, this piece is going to take a look at how pediatric nurses make a difference in the healthcare sector. Read on to find out more.
What Does a Pediatric Nurse Do?
A pediatric nurse is a fully qualified nurse who specializes in treating children. They are a crucial part of the nursing profession and require several skills which they need to be outstanding in, so that they can provide excellent care. These skills can make a significant difference to the quality of care that children receive.
It’s easier than ever to obtain a qualification from online pediatric nurse practitioner programs, which means you can get started in your dream career as soon as possible.
Skills That Make a Difference
1.Empathy – Children can be scared when they’re unwell, and this can affect their behavior in different ways. It’s crucial to have empathy to be able to deal with situations like this and put the patient at ease.
2.Communication– Pediatric nurses will be communicating with both patients and their families, which means this skill needs to be at a very high standard. Being able to let children know what’s going to happen, why, and how it’s going to happen could be essential in their journey.
3.Compassion – A certain level of compassion is essential for any nurse role, but it is especially so when it comes to dealing with children. Children are not able to advocate for themselves or exercise a lot of autonomy, so receiving that compassion can help comfort them.
4.Sensitivity – Being unwell can be a scary and stressful time for both the child and the family. Having sensitivity to each individual’s situation and the circumstances will go long way in helping them feel comfortable and safe. This is important for two-way communication, and letting a patient know that they can trust their nurse.
5.Excellent observation – Children are sometimes less able to articulate how they feel and what their problems are, especially if they are at the age where they’re not yet able to talk. Having excellent observation skills allows a pediatric nurse to spot any signs that something might be wrong if the child can’t alert them. This can be particularly important in cases of abuse.
Pediatric nurses can make a significant difference to the quality of care that children receive due to their impressive skillset, and are trained to work specifically with children so their young patients can receive the best medical attention.