Equipping nurses to de-escalate conflict and communicate challenging information
This article considers some of the challenging situations children’s nurses may encounter
06 Jul 2020
Doris Corkin
The importance of protocol-based eye care in the paediatric intensive care unit
With eye care education, nurses can look out for any warning signs of injury or infection
04 Jul 2019
Doris Corkin: 'My students’ achievements inspire me greatly'
Senior lecturer in education at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast Doris Corkin discusses her career
08 May 2018
Quality patient care: challenges and opportunities
There are several interlocking elements integral to the delivery of safe patient care, including clinical governance, efficient communication, teamwork, risk assessment, inter-professional education and effective leadership. Each element can be challenging to understand, develop, or act on, but it is essential that nurses use these as opportunities to ensure their specialty or service delivers safe and high-quality care. This article discusses each of these elements and its relationship to quality patient care, with specific reference to the role of children’s nurses.
30 Oct 2017
A children’s nurse’s role in the global development of a child with diabetes mellitus
The nursing care of a six year old with type 1 diabetes reveals the importance of accurate control of the condition for normal physical, emotional and cognitive development. Clearly the children’s nurse can educate and support the child, parents and extended family towards achieving independence and self-care. Theoretical knowledge of normal child maturation can guide nurses to constantly adapt their modes of communication and nursing skills, so as to promote every aspect and stage of the child’s growth. Prevalence of type 1 diabetes is increasing, and nurses should use their close professional involvement with patients to assist research at every opportunity.
01 Nov 2013
Educating children’s nurses for communicating bad news
Some parents are unhappy with the way news is broken to them. This article seeks to educate and inform the reflective practitioner on a series of communication strategies to enhance their skills. This is important because the way news is disclosed can affect the way news is accepted and the level of support the family will require. The importance of clarity, honesty and empathy is emphasised.
01 Oct 2013
The challenges of caring for an exceptional child
The authors review the literature on the impact of autism in a child on parents, families and carers, and the stresses they face. Families who are resilient focus positively on autism as a new way of thinking and behaving that is not stigmatised as a destructive disorder. Children affected by it can sometimes be brilliant but difficult to cope with, and caring for them can bring about personal growth, strength and fulfilment in all concerned. On diagnosis, the children’s nurse’s role is crucial in providing caregivers with information about the autism, indicating coping strategies, sourcing numerous services and promoting acceptance of the condition.
07 Nov 2011