Peds palliative care nurses have role at end of life
Peds palliative care nurses have role at end of life
Despite great advances in cure rates, some children with cancer die each year. While pediatric oncology nurses have expertise in caring for children receiving treatment for cancer, during difficult times, including at end of life, many nurses are more comfortable "doing for" the child and their family than "being with" them.
This point was made at a session on "The Art of Pediatric Palliative Care Nursing" at the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON) 34th Annual Convention, Oct. 14-16, 2010, in Minneapolis, MN. The speakers were Kathy Perko, MS, PNP, CPON, of Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, OR, and Cynthia A. Stutzer, RN, MS, of British Columbia Children's Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Perko and Stutzer discussed ways to emotionally support a family at the time of a child's death and strategies to improve communication with children and families at end of life. They noted that nurses often ask, "What do I do? What do I say?" as they struggle to provide high quality pediatric oncology palliative care. Perko and Stutzer addressed grief, companioning, getting to know each other, listening, reflecting, responding, and attending to the individuals physically, mentally, and verbally. They presented practical ideas to assist nurses in developing their own "toolkits" as they learn and remember the art of being with a child and their family at the end of life.
We need both the science and art of nursing to care for children and their families at the end of life, the speakers said. They encouraged participants to not be afraid to "think outside the box" in providing pediatric palliative care. They said communication is the cornerstone in planning and providing care for children and their families. They said the presence of the nurse is a gift that only they can provide for families at the end of life.
Despite great advances in cure rates, some children with cancer die each year. While pediatric oncology nurses have expertise in caring for children receiving treatment for cancer, during difficult times, including at end of life, many nurses are more comfortable "doing for" the child and their family than "being with" them.Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.