8.2 Children’s nursing
Children’s nurses work with children and young people in hospitals, community, schools and clinics, as well as with children and families in their homes and respite care. They nurse children from birth through to adolescence. You may work with healthy children supporting and promoting health, such as tackling childhood obesity, through to children with very complex needs and/or life-limiting disorders. Children’s nurses will work with the whole family to support the child’s health and wellbeing.
Watch this video about children’s nursing, which shows nurses sharing their experiences and values in this field of nursing.
Transcript: Video 8
[TEXT ON SCREEN]:
NURSE 1: I am there at the beginning of life… I am privileged.
NURSE 2: I negotiate with children… I am creative.
NURSE 3: My work with police and social care safeguards children… I am an advocate.
NURSE 4: I am there to diagnose, plan and treat… I am autonomous.
NURSE 5: I am prepared for anything… I am an innovator.
NURSE 6: I lead the team… I am resourceful.
NURSE 7: I work with families to keep children at home… I am empowering.
NURSE 8: I help hospital feel like home… I am dedicated.
NURSE 9: I am there when young people need support... I am a listener.
NURSE 10: I am passionate about teaching the next generation… I am an educator.
NURSE 11: Four heads are better than one…I am a team player.
NURSE 12: I comfort and care for children… I am compassionate.
I am privileged. I am creative. I am empowering. I am resourceful. I am dedicated. I am compassionate. I am a children’s nurse.
This film was made by the RCN Children and Young People Forums.
With thanks to staff and children at Evelina London Children’s Hospital. And to the member of the RCN Children and Young People Forum Facebook group for ideas and inspiration.