Paediatric Nursing Skills for Australian Nurses

Introduction

All children need a safe and nurturing environment in which to grow and reach their full potential. Yet parenting can be challenging for some families, where there are limited resources to meet the needs of their children. The transition to parenthood and the demands of young children during periods of rapid developmental change place a strain on families and the resources available to create safe and nurturing environments for their children. While all families experience difficulties with parenting from time to time, some families with poor social, emotional and physical health will need additional support to provide a safe environment for their children.

Parents who are isolated, or who grew up in social isolation, can find parenting and family life overwhelming. As individuals, we are socialised to the models of parenting to which we have been exposed, and they are not easy to change. Parents may not know how to provide an optimal home environment for their children to grow and learn. They may not understand how to communicate with, or to ‘tune in’ to, the needs of their children. Parenting can be challenging when the children are well and developing normally. If the children become sick or are developmentally compromised, parenting can become overwhelming and unmanageable.

This chapter will focus on those nursing skills known to assist families to provide safe and supportive environments for their children. As you develop these skills, you will become more capable at coordinating care for families with complex needs, be able to identify child-protection concerns, and be able to create supportive collegial relationships that work across the health and other sectors as a coordinated approach to protecting children. These skills will become part of your planning and intervention with families, and will include appropriate assessment and diagnosis. The effectiveness of interventions must be reviewed regularly, and care should be adjusted accordingly. Documentation is essential, and in your professional practice you must adhere to relevant service, state and professional policies and guidelines.