The nursing assessment of infants with bronchiolitis

Factors affecting pediatric nurses' development of partnerships with parents of hospitalized children: An evaluation based on the stress-coping adaptation model

We aimed to identify factors affecting pediatric nurses' perceptions of their development of partnerships with parents of hospitalized children based on Lazarus and Folkman's stress-coping adaptation model. This cross-sectional study included 209 pediatric nurses with over 1 year of clinical experience in South Korea. Data were collected using online-based self-report questionnaires containing items on nurses' perceived partnerships with parents, job stress, positive psychological capital, nursing professionalism, and a coping scale. Positive psychological capital, job stress, coping, hospital type, and unit type were significant factors in a hierarchical regression analysis using perceived partnership as a dependent variable. This study supports an efficient intervention program to improve pediatric nurses' partnership competency. Strategies to reduce pediatric nurses' job stress and improve their coping abilities and positive psychological capital will enhance their partnerships with parents of hospitalized children.

Down There - Pediatric Nurses, Constipation, and Rectal Interventions

BACKGROUND

Pediatric nurses care for hospitalized children with constipation on a daily basis. However, very little is reported in the literature about the experiences of pediatric nurses when providing care to hospitalized children who are constipated. A rarely discussed aspect of pediatric care is that of sensitive touch which is required during rectal interventions such as enema and suppository administration. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the experiences of pediatric nurses regarding the identification & management of constipation in hospitalized children. A theme, "down there," emerged from the larger study and revealed pediatric nurses' experiences with sensitive touch in hospitalized children with constipation.

METHODS

This phenomenological investigation utilized in depth interviews with 21 pediatric nurses to explore their experiences of caring for hospitalized children with constipation.

RESULTS

The concept sensitive touch, a touch that is applied to an intimate area of the body, emerged as a theme from the interviews. There were several subthemes. Nurses discussed assessment as "I would not automatically do a rectal check;" and incorporated development as "an infant is totally different from a 5 or 6-year-old; developing a "trustful rapport" during interventions; ensuring "comfort and privacy" as strategies during rectal interventions; and performing a "dress rehearsal" when teaching orientees about rectal interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric nurses describe a variety of experiences when using sensitive touch in children. Although there is high awareness of the need for comfort and privacy, pediatric nurses' hesitation to intervene using rectal maneuvers could contribute to ongoing constipation in hospitalized children.