PEADIATRIC NURSES

Pediatric Nurses

Pediatric Nurses

Role

A paediatric or children's nurse is responsible for promoting optimum health and for preventing ill health amongst children and young people, usually up to the age of 16 but sometimes up toPaediatric nurses play a key role in assessing children's nursing needs, taking into account their medical, social, cultural and family circumstances, and then plan and deliver care in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, homes and in the community, as well as during transfers between these settings.

They care for and support children and young people and work alongside their families in conjunction with other health care professionals.

Typical Work Activities

It is important that a paediatric nurse understands the particular needs of children and how these change through each developmental stage. Being able to communicate appropriately with children and their parents or guardians is a key part of the job, as is working in partnership with other health care professionals to ensure continuity of care.

Typical work activities vary according to the role, but they may include:

• assessing, observing and reporting on the condition of patients;

• preparing patients for operations and procedures;

• recording pulse, temperature and respiration and keeping accurate records of these observations;

• setting up drips and blood transfusions;

• maintaining and checking intravenous infusions;

• administering drugs and injections;

• assisting with tests and evaluations;

• responding quickly to emergencies;

• explaining treatment and procedures to enable parents or guardians to consent to treatment;

• supporting, advising and educating patients and close relatives;

• engaging in and promoting multidisciplinary teamwork, including working alongside specialist doctors and nurses, health visitors, social workers, radiographers and physiotherapists;

• observing strict hygiene and safety rules and ensuring that visitors also observe any rules on the ward or unit;

• writing reports and updating records before completing a shift.

More senior roles may include

• teaching skills to student nurses and doctors and other health care professionals;

• organising staff and workload to ensure shift cover, possibly across more than one ward.

Work Conditions

• The National Health Service (NHS) pay structure, called Agenda for Change (www.nhsemployers.org/pay-conditions/agenda-for-change.cfm), has clearly defined pay bands for nurses. Further details are available from NHS Careers (www.nhscareers.nhs.uk).

• Pay for newly qualified nurses starts at £19,683 (Band 5) (salary data collected Nov 07).

• The range of typical salaries at senior level/with experience varies greatly, depending upon the skills you acquire and the responsibilities of your job. Most experienced nurses work in Band 6 or 7, with salaries ranging from

£23,458 to £37,326 (salary data collected Nov 07).

• Additional qualifications and experience may enhance salary and promotion prospects. Extra payments may be available for staff working unsocial hours or in high cost areas. The new post of nurse consultant has a starting salary of £36,112, rising to £62,402 (Band 8a-c).

• Working patterns typically include regular unsocial hours, but there may be scope for working more regular hours depending on your role.

• Most work takes place in a hospital (on specialist wards or in units) or in home or community settings. Tasks may involve escorting children between hospital departments or to ...