Navigating Pediatric Clinical Experiences Essay Paper
Introduction
According to Tuckerman et al. (2022), undertaking a pediatric clinical experience is an exciting yet nerve-wracking journey. Working with children as a nursing student presents chances for meaningful relationships and the ability to impact the lives of children(Sullivan et al., 2022). It also brings challenges, especially when attempting to comprehend and navigate the dynamics of families and their different cultural backgrounds. In this paper, I will talk about the pediatric clinical experiences that most excite and concern me, assess my abilities and shortcomings when working with kids, talk about how I define family and how that affects assessments, the difficulties I have when working with families, and offer solutions for dealing with vaccine-related concerns from parents. In addition, I will look at how culture affects assessments and choose a nursing theory that will guide my practice. Navigating Pediatric Clinical Experiences Essay Paper
Concerns and Excitements in Pediatric Clinical Experiences
What most excites me is the idea of seeing how resilient and joyful children can be in the face of illness or adversity. It is also immensely fulfilling to have the chance to work with pediatric patients and their families to establish therapeutic relationships and develop age-appropriate communication skills. On the other hand, my focus lies on efficiently handling pediatric distress and attending to the emotional requirements of kids and their families. In addition, handling difficult family relationships and dealing with circumstances where parents might not put their child’s best interests first present serious concerns. Navigating Pediatric Clinical Experiences Essay Paper
Strengths and Weaknesses in Working with Children
I have excellent communication skills, flexibility, and empathy qualities that are essential for establishing rapport and trust with children and teens. In addition, my capacity to handle circumstances with tolerance and optimism might lessen kids’ anxiety and promote efficient caregiving. This will enable efficient care delivery and the development of meaningful partnerships (Camden, et al., 2023). But I also acknowledge that, especially in emotionally charged circumstances involving children, I might find it difficult to maintain professional distance and set limits. I also need to focus on improving my capacity to successfully handle the anxiety and sadness that children experience. This sometimes makes it difficult for me to give objective care and control my own emotions throughout the practicum. Navigating Pediatric Clinical Experiences Essay Paper
Understanding Family Dynamics and Challenges of working with families
In my view, family is made up of people who are not related by blood but are instead bound together by love, support, and common experiences. Family duties include those of parents, siblings, grandparents, and even close friends who help a child both physically and emotionally (Milberg et al., 2020). Communication limitations, diverse cultural views, and varying socioeconomic roots can all pose challenges. Care delivery can also be complicated by managing power dynamics within the family and resolving disputes or opposition to medical procedures. Navigating Pediatric Clinical Experiences Essay Paper
Handling Vaccination opposition
I would take a patient-centred approach to dealing with parents’ resistance to vaccinations, with a strong emphasis on education, empathy, and open communication. I want to support informed decision-making while honouring parental free will by being sensitive to the concerns of parents and supplying fact-based information about the advantages of vaccinations (Tuckerman et al.,2022). Navigating Pediatric Clinical Experiences Essay Paper
Influence of Culture on Assessment
Beliefs about health, attitudes about the illness, and behaviours related to obtaining medical attention are greatly influenced by culture. As such, assessments must be conducted with cultural humility, recognizing and honouring the diversity of viewpoints. By adjusting care plans to the child’s and family’s values and preferences, nurses with cultural competence can improve the patient’s overall health- (Milberg et al., 2020). Navigating Pediatric Clinical Experiences Essay Paper
Nursing theory
The family systems theory would guide my practice with pediatric patients. This theory sees the family as a dynamic system with its structure and patterns of interaction, emphasizing the interconnection of family members (Milberg et al., 2020). Nurses can create holistic care plans that meet the requirements of the child and their family by understanding how different family members interact with one another and how this influences the children’s overall well-being. Navigating Pediatric Clinical Experiences Essay Paper
Conclusion
In conclusion, clinical experiences in pediatrics provide a comprehensive and exciting learning opportunity that is full of challenges as well as excitement. Using nursing theories, understanding family dynamics, accepting cultural diversity, and acknowledging my strengths and shortcomings, I hope to give pediatric patients and their families with compassionate, efficient care that promotes holistic well-being and results in excellent health outcomes. Navigating Pediatric Clinical Experiences Essay Paper
References
Camden, C., Mulligan, H., Cinar, E., Gauvin, C., Berbari, J., Nugraha, B., & Gutenbrunner, C. (2023). Perceived strengths and weaknesses of paediatric physiotherapy services: Results from an international survey. Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy, 28(1), e1974. https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.1974
Milberg, A., Liljeroos, M., Wåhlberg, R., & Krevers, B. (2020). Sense of support within the family: a cross-sectional study of family members in palliative home care. BMC palliative care, 19(1), 120. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-020-00623-z
Sullivan, C., Condron, C., Mulhall, C., Almulla, M., Kelly, M., O’Leary, D., & Eppich, W. (2022). Preparing for Pediatrics: Experiential Learning Helps Medical Students Prepare for Their Clinical Placement. Frontiers in pediatrics, 10, 834825. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.834825
Tuckerman, J., Kaufman, J., & Danchin, M. (2022). Effective Approaches to Combat Vaccine Hesitancy. The Pediatric infectious disease journal, 41(5), e243–e245. https://doi.org/10.1097/INF.0000000000003499
Journal Entry (450–500 words):  Navigating Pediatric Clinical Experiences Essay Paper
Explain what most excites and/or concerns you about pediatric clinical experiences. Include a description of your strengths and weaknesses in terms of working with children and how these strengths and weaknesses might impact your Practicum experience.
Discuss your personal definition of family and family roles that might impact the assessment of a child and his or her family. Also expand your discussion on the challenges of working with families. Explain how you would handle parents that do not want to vaccinate children.
Then, explain how culture (both the culture of the provider and that of the child and his or her family) may further influence the assessment.
Select and explain a nursing theory to guide your practice with pediatric patients. Navigating Pediatric Clinical Experiences Essay Paper