Nursing Children and Young People

Children’s nurse Dame Elizabeth Fradd, who died in May, was a champion for children, young people and their families, and widely respected among her peers.

This article, by Nursing Children and Young People consultant editor Mark Whiting, pays tribute to Dame Liz.

Elizabeth Fradd: a champion for children and young people’s care Children’s nurse Dame Elizabeth Fradd, who died on 12 May, was a champion for children, young people and their families, and widely respected among her peers

Learn about the importance of protecting the integrity of children and young people’s nursing as a distinct field of practice.

Protecting the integrity of children and young people’s nursing as a distinct field of practice Protecting the integrity of children and young people’s nursing as a distinct field of practice

PANS and PANDAS disorders: a guide for nurses

These paediatric autoimmune disorders are little-known conditions, but can significantly affect a child’s life.

Find out everything you need to.

PANS and PANDAS disorders: what nurses need to know The paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders PANS and PANDAS are little-known conditions, but can significantly affect a child’s life

This interactive webinar will give you the facts about measles and its potential impact on children’s health, as well the safety and efficacy of the MMR vaccine.

It will give all nurses insight into the barriers preventing parents from vaccinating their children, and practical tips and advice to overcome vaccination concerns through effective communication.

The event is for UK healthcare professionals only. MSD has no influence on the webinar agenda.

Click here for more details - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tackling-measles-nursings-role-in-supporting-vaccination-tickets-875891915297

After Covid-19, learn how to be prepared for future surges in respiratory illness in children.

This article looks at the need to ensure staff are adequately prepared to manage any future surges in respiratory illness effectively.

After COVID-19: preparing staff for future surges in respiratory illness in children and improving well-being After COVID-19: preparing staff for future surges in respiratory illness in children and improving well-being

Medicines management in children and young people: a guide for nurses

This article explores three fundamental aspects – pharmacokinetics, drug calculations, and off-label drug use.

Click here to read >

Medicines management in children and young people: pharmacokinetics, drug calculations and off-label drug use Medicines management in children and young people: pharmacokinetics, drug calculations and off-label drug use

Martha’s rule: what the rollout means for children’s nurses

Named after Martha Mills, who died after her parents’ concerns were ignored, nurses have a key role in ensuring Martha’s rule has a lasting impact.

Click here to read more >

Martha’s rule: what the rollout means for children’s nurses Named after Martha Mills, who died after her parents’ concerns were ignored, nurses have a key role in ensuring Martha's rule has a lasting impact

Checking nasogastric tube safety in children cared for in the community: a re-examination of the evidence base

This article discusses a revised approach to nasogastric feeding, which can reduce delays and missed administration of fluids, feeds, and medicines.

Checking nasogastric tube safety in children cared for in the community: a re-examination of the evidence base Checking nasogastric tube safety in children cared for in the community: a re-examination of the evidence base

Negative healthcare experiences can be traumatic for children, so even day-to-day procedures should be made as positive as possible.

Find out how new iSupport standards can help nurses give children more of a say in their care.

How to minimise healthcare trauma for children Negative healthcare experiences can be traumatic for children, but iSupport standards of good practice can help nurses give children more of a say in their care

Caring for children with epilepsy: a guide for nurses

Find out how nurses can improve the quality of care for all children and young people with epilepsy, from creating a care plan to supporting mental well-being.

What nurses caring for children with epilepsy need to know Children and young people with epilepsy can feel isolated and afraid, but nursing support, peer group activities, counselling and individual care plans can help

Death of a parent from cancer: how to prepare children

About 46,300 children in the UK go through the death of a parent each year

Get advice on how to handle difficult conversations, how to choose the right words, and resources for nurses and families.

Death of a parent from cancer: how to prepare children Honest conversations with children about end of life when a parent is dying of cancer can have a positive impact on the way they cope with the grieving process

Children’s nursing: the long road to professional recognition

Over a century after the first children’s nurse was registered, some senior figures in the speciality fear progress made over the years has stalled.

Read more here >

Children’s nursing: the long road to professional recognition More than a century after the first children’s nurse was registered, senior figures in the specialty fear that progress made over the years has now stalled

The long-awaited national paediatric early warning score (PEWS) has now been launched.

It is a step in the right direction but investment in children’s nursing is needed to make it viable.

Invest in children’s nursing and PEWS could be a positive change The launch of the paediatric early warning score (PEWS) is a step in the right direction but investment in children’s nursing is needed to make it viable

The long-awaited national paediatric early warning system (PEWS) to pick up deterioration in children has been published by NHS England.

Click here to find out more >

What the new paediatric early warning system means for nurses The new paediatric early warning system (PEWS) provides a standardised nursing approach for recognising and responding to children becoming seriously unwell

A collaborative that 'makes things better' for children are winners of the RCN Nursing Awards Child Health category.

Edge Hill University ISupport team, led by children’s nurse Lucy Bray, ensure children's physical and emotional well-being are central in all decisions.

The collaboration was inspired by Katie Dixon, who experienced multiple traumatic procedures in childhood and now has post-traumatic stress disorder. Ms Dixon challenged the ISupport lead, children’s nurse Lucy Bray, to 'make things better'.

The team built a website, where the standards can be downloaded for free.

Congratulations Lucy.

https://rcni.com/nurse-awards

How can nurses help improve mental health services for children?

There has been a steep rise in urgent mental health referrals for children and a lack of capacity to deal with it.

Senior nurses have suggested dual registration could help cope with this increase.

How can nurses help improve mental health services for children? There has been a steep rise in mental health referrals for children and a lack of capacity to deal with it. Dual registration could be the answer

Time for change in children and young people’s nurse education

Concerns are being raised about children and young people’s nurse education, and a university project aims to give nurses a voice and highlight positive changes:

Time for change in children and young people's nurse education Concerns are being raised about children and young people's nurse education, and a university project aims to give nurses a voice and highlight positive changes

Glucose monitoring for type 2 diabetes in children: a nurse’s guide

Find out more about the new NICE guidance on diabetes management in children and young people.

Nurse advice on glucose monitoring for type 2 diabetes in children Continuous glucose monitoring is now recommended for some young people with type 2 diabetes in a bid to improve outcomes and enable easier self-management

Adultification: risk factors, harmful effects and implications for nursing practice

This article discusses strategies nurses can use to prevent adultification and actions to take when they see it happen.

Adultification: risk factors, harmful effects and implications for nursing practice Adultification: risk factors, harmful effects and implications for nursing practice

CPD article: Managing the deteriorating child with suspected group A Streptococcus infection.

Thanks to advanced nurse practitioners Mark Kempsell-Smith and Claire Fitzsimons for their CPD article.

Managing the deteriorating child with suspected group A Streptococcus infection Managing the deteriorating child with suspected group A Streptococcus infection

Simulated learning for staff at a children’s hospice: a quality improvement project

Find out how a children’s hospice undertook a quality improvement project to develop and evaluate simulation workshops.

Simulated learning for staff at a children’s hospice: a quality improvement project Simulated learning for staff at a children’s hospice: a quality improvement project

Managing conflict with children’s families: a guide for nurses

Get expert advice on understanding and managing conflict in children and young people’s healthcare and how nurses can best communicate and listen to families.

How nurses can manage conflict with children’s families Expert advice on understanding and managing conflict in children and young people’s healthcare and how nurses can best communicate and listen to families

Hospital at home services for children are set for a major expansion across the NHS after a string of successful pilot schemes.

Find out what children’s nurses need to know, including the benefits and what skill sets it can develop.

Hospital at home services: what children’s nurses need to know The expansion of services will keep more children at home with their families while providing hospital-level care . Find out more about the benefits

For some children and young people, gender identity issues can cause confusion and distress as they strive to find their place among their peers.

Find out how nurses can support those that are struggling:

Gender dysphoria in young people: what nurses need to know Gender identity services for young people are in flux after CQC criticism, but nurses can still take steps to help those who are struggling

Vaccination rates for children are falling, leading to worrying outbreaks of infection and concern among health officials.

Find out how nurses can use their position to counter misinformation and hesitancy:

Vaccine hesitancy: how nurses can keep immunisation effort on track Parents alarmed by false claims on social media are hesitant to have their children vaccinated but nurses can help counter this trend

Young adult patients in ED: what nurses need to know

Find out how nurses can make the situation better for young people and what training they should have.

Young adult patients in EDs: what nurses need to know Vulnerable adolescents or young adults in need of emergency care can end up in a paediatric or adult emergency department, and could fall through a services gap

Epilepsy and sudden unexpected death in children: what nurses need to know

Find out how nurses can best support young patients with epilepsy and their families.

https://rcni.com/nursing-children-and-young-people/opinion/expert-advice/epilepsy-and-sudden-unexpected-death-children-what-nurses-need-to-know-197041

Epilepsy and sudden unexpected death in children: what nurses need to know Sudden unexpected death is thought to be the highest cause of death in people with epilepsy, but better access to services and information can improve outcomes

This CPD article from Val Wilson looks at the challenges of managing type 1 diabetes at school and of children's self-management of the condition.

It includes a multiple-choice quiz to test your knowledge and can be used for revalidation.

Managing type 1 diabetes in children and young people: challenges and solutions Managing type 1 diabetes in children and young people: challenges and solutions

Why are there so few men in children’s nursing?

Recent figures show that men make up only 3% of the 57,000-strong children’s nursing workforce.

This feature explores the reasons behind that figure:

Why are there so few men in children’s nursing? Among recruitment barriers to men in nursing are a lack of male role models, poor understanding of the role among schoolboys and perceived gender stereotypes

An international study examines how young people used social media to help alleviate stress and anxiety during COVID-19, and looks at the implications of this for nursing practice.

Stress and loneliness: exploring adolescents’ use of social media as a coping strategy during COVID-19 Stress and loneliness: exploring adolescents’ use of social media as a coping strategy during COVID-19