An exploration of children’s nursing graduates’ ability to assess children’s emotional health and well-being

Abstract

This exploratory, qualitative study was designed to be the first stage of an action research project to investigate whether graduates from BSc children's nursing programmes are sufficiently prepared to assess children's emotional health. Early identification of children's and young people's emotional problems is important for timely interventions to be initiated. Data were gathered from a focus group and a series of semi-structured interviews and interpreted using thematic analysis approaches. The findings indicated those interviewed can recognise when a child was emotionally unwell, reporting that assessments were brief, subjective and completed without the use of age-appropriate assessment tools. It is concluded that assessment of a child's emotional health appears to take low priority in comparison to its physical counterpart.

Preparing children's nurses for working with children and adolescents who self‐harm: Evaluating the ‘our care through our eyes’ e‐learning training package

“…Findings from the qualitative analysis supported the findings from the literature review (Carter et al 2018;Leddie et al 2021;Little, 2015;Thomas 2017Valli eres-No€ el et al 2016. These studies illustrated how children's nurses caring for CYP who self-harm lack confidence in themselves, their knowledge and understanding of self-harm and often fear they are 'not good enough'.…”

Exploring outcomes from an innovative, pediatric-focused intervention with undergraduate nursing students

“…Theory as it informs practice is often a difficult concept for the undergraduate nursing student. Research studies support this disconnect between theory and practice and the need for meaningful experiences to compensate for limited clinical placements ( Cole & Fioto, 2018 ; Fogg et al, 2020 ; Kenny et al, 2016 ; Little, 2015 ). Our study is in accordance with other studies linking the increased anxiety students may feel when interacting with parents and working with a sick child.…”

“…Our study is in accordance with other studies linking the increased anxiety students may feel when interacting with parents and working with a sick child. A study of 17 new graduate nurses with a pediatric focus reflected on the importance of preparing students to link theory and practice ( Little, 2015 ). For example, the child's emotional health is discussed in course work but not often practiced in the clinical setting until beginning work.…”

“…For example, the child's emotional health is discussed in course work but not often practiced in the clinical setting until beginning work. This study of new nurses found those nurses with children themselves or having younger siblings displayed more confidence in caring for the emotional needs of children, but in every occurrence, there were reported needs to enhance training to support children's emotional needs ( Little, 2015 ). Other studies focus on communication as a learned item in class but there is a greater need for practice.…”