Peds pro tip
Listen, it’s worth the time to prep your patients. It’s also the right thing to do even if it takes time or inconvenience you. It doesn’t have to be long. Something like this:
“Do you know why you’re in the hospital?” (This gives you an idea of how much they know and what language they’re comfortable with. Some kids with chronic illnesses are very knowledgeable about their disease and treatment just like dinosaurs or other complex subjects. They are not dumb, just haven’t learned yet).
“That’s right you’re here because your tummy aches so bad! My name is Jess, I’m a nurse and my job is to help kids who have bad tummy aches. Some kids feel a little scared in the hospital, some kids don’t, how are you feeling? Thank you for telling me how you’re feeling, it’s important to me to help you feel and safe and comfortable as possible so can you tell me if you’re feeling scared or hurting? How would you like to tell me? Words, thumbs up/down, a drawing etc.” you can tell them what other people’s jobs are if appropriate. Helps breathe, takes your temperature, etc
“Part of my job is checking on your body. I use these things. “ show medical equipment and let them handle it.
Then keep it simple. First, next, last. Use the senses— “you’ll feel this cold thing. You’ll hear this noise from the machine, it won’t hurt you.” Etc. give them a job. Tell them about how long it will take in terms they understand “one tv episode” and how they know it’s over “I put this bandaid on at the very end.” Use your clinical judgement and obviously many kids aren’t in a mental space to listen/process. But must don’t have the anxiety and fear or they are able to cope with it better after by taking those minutes to do that.
