Placement 2; Week 1

Hey everyone!

I have now completed my first week of placement and once again I have managed to do a fair amount. 

I am on a children's ward this time and I have loved it so far! 

I have learnt a lot about peadiatrics and peadiatric surgeries. It has been interesting to say the least. My youngest patient thus far has been a mere week old, and my oldest has been 17. This has given me a good chance to communicate and liaise with children of all ages. I have also been able to practice my clinical observations and the various documentation that comes with this.

I have looked at the different PEWS charts for the different age groups. (I am hoping to get copies of these as it is very hard to find on the internet!)

I have chance to observe a nasogastric tube being placed on a baby; 

how to obtain blood samples from young babies and I have seen children taken down to theatre and be placed under anaesthetic. I have been able to see a catheter insertion and I have had the chance to talk to parents and learn more about head injuries. I have children undergoing phototherapy;

As well as this I have observed patients being admitted and discharged as well as the care pre and post operatively.  It is remarkable the amount I feel I have done in one week.  I have managed to talk to the various staff on the ward as well as others. I am hoping i can get the chance to observe some surgeries during my placement as well. This should be really interesting to see the process from a patient being admitted, to their surgery, to their recovery and then discharge.  

To try and learn more about peadiatric processes and how to carry out clinical observations I have read up with this book from the library.

It is a good book yet I have found nothing is better than hands on experience. It is helpful having other students on the same ward as myself as well. I am on with both second and third years so I have had the opportunity of observing them and asking them questions as well.  It has been a quick week and I have enjoyed it.  I do think that you do need to be strong and have a good poker face when it comes to working with children.  I have seen parents so torn up and upset at seeing their child in hospital.  Because children cannot consent their parents do so for them.  This may involve putting the child through procedures that they are scared of and will say no to, or cannot as they are too young. Having to prevent a child from pulling their own nasogastric tube out as it is inserted is hard.  

Working with children, it is important that you are aware of the Gillick competency. 

See the below website for information.

NSPCC

It is also important that you are aware of confidentiality and how to report any suspicions of child abuse.  It is vital that you are aware of local child protection guidelines as well as nationally. Children and their health can be straightforward, however, it can be difficult as there can be various circumstances as to how that child is in that hospital or care facility that you are in.  This is where maintaining those professional boundaries come into effect. Reading up on any of these things before you embark on a placement with children will help.  Talk to your mentor and your university if there is anything you feel you are not comfortable with or if there is anything you want to clarify. 

I will say this, working with children is so rewarding.  I have had the opportunity of playing with some of the children and their siblings as hospital can be a scary place. Communicating with a child on their level may be difficult, but it is so important for that child.  I will say this though, be prepared for the unpreparable!   

(All photos available on Google images)