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By Bianca Bumpres, eHow Contributor

updated: June 30, 2010


   
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cediatric nurses take care of infants, toddlers and school-age children.

cediatric nurses are registered nurses who manage care of infants, toddlers, school-
age children and adolescents with general and emergency medical needs. Typically
pediatric nurses graduate from accredited schools of nursing and have appropriate
state licenses and professional certifications in accord with state regulations.
cediatric nurses exhibit specific skills to help children and adolescents.

 

2. When assessing children and adolescents, pediatric nurses must understand normal
growth and development for each age group, including physical and cognitive
development, according to the fastaff.com website. In the assessment process the
nurses use clinical reasoning, decision-making and clinical thinking skills. They also
recognize and appreciate cultural factors when making assessments and maintain
confidentiality at all times. A pediatric nurse also should be active in looking to
educational resources to improve clinical practice skills in assessment, diagnosis and
treatment.

 

3. The professional must tailor communication to age-appropriate conversation when

speaking to patients. The nurse understands that children communicate at different
levels according to age and cognitive development. This means changing or adapting
communication with appropriate terminology as needed. cediatric nurses
communicate through presence, touch and eye contact as well as through verbal
communication. They are compassionate when communicating and promote a
therapeutic environment. In the work environment, the nurse should promote
communication with peers that maintains positive working relationships.

 



4. Nurses in pediatrics are skilled at ensuring patient safety first. They understand
safety risks for each age group and alter medical approach accordingly. They
understand medications, dosages and potential side effects for each age group and
 dispense medication appropriately. These nurses are also skilled in appropriate
reaction to emergency environmental or situational changes.

  
 


1. Many employers hire pediatric nurses with strong interpersonal skills that have the
ability to answer questions for families going through a difficult time. They must also
have the ability to explain an illness or disease to young children who may have a
difficult time grasping certain concepts.





2. The patient and the family of the patient will experience a range of emotions,
including anxiety, panic, guilt, powerlessness, and anger. Nurses should understand
the psychological impacts on the patient and the family and exercise compassion in
their professional duties.



  

3. Nurses need to be able to work efficiently and effectively in a high-stress

environment. They must be able to concentrate under pressure and have the ability
to remain calm. Nurses must also be prepared to be on call overnight or work to
overtime to care for patients.

   

4. Apart from managing family distress, some pediatric nurses will need to teach
caregivers how to properly care for their children once they leave the hospital or
clinic. Teaching caregivers required patience and attention to detail to ensure that the
child will receive proper care outside of the hospital or clinic.