NR 602 Pediatric Clinical Tips

NR 602 Pediatric Clinical Tips

NR 602 Pediatric Clinical Tips

Clinical Tips: Preparing for Pediatric Rotation

Hello Chamberlain NP student! You have been chosen for a pediatrics rotation.  Congratulations! These are prestigious and important clinical rotations to advance your abilities as a Family Nurse Practitioner.  By the time you get to your clinical rotation you will have had all of your core NP courses including Advanced Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Health Assessment.  You also have had basic RN training and a BSN. Based on this foundation there are foundational concepts you must understand prior to your first day of clinical. Key topics to review and memorize:

• How to do a pediatric exam (by age group beginning with newborn and going through adolescence)
• How to measure height, weight, head circumference, BMI and chart on the CDC growth charts (be familiar with extreme measures and what they might indicate)
• Current immunization schedules published by the CDC
• Normal growth and development standards (i.e. when birth weight is doubled, when is normal pubertal development, tanner staging)
• How to complete a sports physical and any special forms your state requires (i.e. Missouri requires head injury counseling with sports physical)
• A current pediatric textbook/handbook for primary care and a current pediatric medication book of your choice are highly recommended (i.e. pediatric lexicomp, the 602 course textbook is ‘Current Pediatrics’)

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Tips for success in a pediatric site:

• Be on time or a bit early each clinical day to prep
• Wear your lab coat and name tag
• Dress professionally, but also wear clothes you can move in to bend down to a patient’s height or lift a patient.
• Closed toed shoes
• Carry a calculator for dosages, weight calculations, etc.
• Be willing, volunteer, speak up, ask questions of your preceptor, and show eagerness to learn (Do not just stand in a corner and observe nor wait for someone to ask you to go into a room. You ask first and let the preceptor decide.)
• Set goals with your preceptor on topic areas weekly and ask that they suggest reading or that you have 5 minute quick reviews of common pediatric ailments or topic areas by body system. (i.e. week 1 might be growth and development issues, week 2 might be pulmonary diseases…)
• Do not show up late, not show up, use unprofessional language, or disparage other sites/work/faculty/other students. These types of behaviors mean the clinical site might not be willing to take other students after you.  Remember you are paving the way for others.
• Thank your preceptor and their staff for having you.
• Ensure they have access to elogs and are getting communication from your faculty. Facilitate the mid-term phone call.