Simulated learning for staff at a children’s hospice
Exploring the benefits of simulation workshops in end of life care
18 Sep 2023
Jayne Price
Enhancing knowledge of mental health issues among children’s nursing students:...
Why you should read this article: • To understand the experiences of children and young people with mental health issues, particularly those in general children’s wards • To identify areas for improvement in children’s nurses’ knowledge about the care of children and young people with mental health issues • To consider strategies for supporting children’s nursing students with caring for children and young people with mental health issues Background Over the past 20 years, the number of children and young people with mental health issues has increased. During their clinical placements, children’s nursing students often encounter such service users, as well as mothers with mental health issues such as postnatal depression. Many of these students have reported feeling inadequately prepared to meet the needs of these service users. Aim To evaluate a service user-led workshop to improve the knowledge and confidence of children’s nursing students in caring for children and young people with mental health issues. Method One university in the south of England ran an interactive workshop as part of a final-year module for BSc and MSc children’s nursing students. The workshop was facilitated by service users who had experienced mental health issues. Questionnaires were administered before and after the workshop to collect data from students who attended, then quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data were conducted. Findings This study found that children’s nursing students gained knowledge and confidence in caring for children and young people with mental health issues after attending the workshop. Four themes were identified from the pre-questionnaire data: fear and anxiety; boundaries; mixed experiences; and learning on the job. The themes of boundaries and learning on the job were identified again in the post-questionnaire data, as well as the additional themes of ‘being with, rather than doing’ and ‘further knowledge’. Conclusion Service user involvement is an essential aspect of nurse education due to its positive and motivating effects on students. Future research could explore the optimal type of service user input required at different stages of nurse education, to ensure that it enhances the development of students’ knowledge and confidence.
19 Oct 2021
Parents’ decision-making about attending an emergency department with their child
Evaluation to explain frequent ED attendance and indicate potential redesigns to services
08 Jul 2019
Matilda the Musical: the potential value of the arts in children’s nursing education
Musical theatre is a valid way of teaching a difficult topic, such as safeguarding children
25 Jun 2019
Learning from Paediatric Patient Journeys: What Children and their Families Can Tell Us
Book review by Jayne Price
16 Feb 2017
To stay or not to stay: children’s nurses’ experiences of parental presence during...
Aim To examine the perspectives of children’s nurses about parental presence during resuscitation. Methods Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from nine children’s nurses, working in the same emergency department, followed by thematic analysis to identify common themes. Findings Nurses thought that parents had a negative effect on the ability of professionals caring for the child. However, they also recognised the negative effect parental absence can have on the grieving process. During resuscitation nurses struggle personally and professionally to decide whether parents should be present. Conclusion There is a lack of guidance available about how to manage parental presence at the resuscitation of the child. Experienced children’s nurses were having to ‘gauge it every time’.
10 Apr 2015
The significant effects of childhood cancer on siblings
Each year in the UK about 1,500 children are diagnosed with cancer. While survival rates have improved, about one fifth will die as a result of the disease. The uncertainty over whether a child will live or die while undergoing intensive treatment regimens has a significant effect on the child, parents and family. Much of the literature focuses on the effect of the illness on children and parents, but less is known about the needs of siblings. This article presents a narrative review examining the impact of a child’s cancer on siblings. Findings centred on four main themes: sibling adjustment and adaptation, emotional impact, siblings’ coping strategies and unmet needs. Finally, the implications for children’s oncology nursing practice are outlined.
11 May 2012
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in the young person with cancer
Nausea and vomiting are among the most distressing adverse effects of cancer chemotherapy. In the past ten years considerable advances in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced emesis have been made. However, nurses still play a vital role in managing this condition, particularly that of anticipatory nausea and vomiting which is refractory to anti-emetic drugs and is more prevalent in children and adolescents. This article describes the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in an adolescent girl.
01 Oct 2005
Play in the community — quality care for the child with cancer
Play, the universal language of children, is an important child-centred communication tool and is a necessity for a sick child. Play can help the child with cancer understand and prepare for the particular type of treatment they face and can also reduce distress and anxiety for the child’s family. As more childhood cancer care moves away from the hospital setting and into the child’s own home, service providers must develop the role of specialist play in the community.
01 Oct 2004
Information needs of the child with cancer and their family
The diagnosis of childhood cancer has a huge impact on the child and family unit. The children’s nurse has a professional responsibility to ensure that the child’s and the family’s information needs are met. The Code of Professional Conduct (NMC 2002) emphasises that patients and clients have a right to receive information about their condition; information that is accurate, honest and presented in a way that is easily understood. The NHS Cancer Plan (DoH 2000) acknowledges the need for providing adequate information to patients with cancer. However, providing information to children can be particularly challenging. This article examines the informational needs of the child with cancer and demonstrates how these can be met.
01 Sep 2003