Caring for critically ill children within an adult environment--an educational strategy

Within the author's workplace, a predominantly adult general Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a small number of critically ill children are admitted each year. This causes difficulties for adult nurses because they are required to utilize specialist paediatric knowledge and skills that are practised on an infrequent basis only. This can lead them to experience feelings of stress, anxiety and a lack of confidence when caring for this distinct patient group. To address these issues, an education strategy was planned and implemented, which required staff members to attend a study day, organize a one day clinical placement and achieve a personal learning objective pertaining to paediatrics. This involved collaboration between key stakeholders, links to the lead paediatric centre, incorporation of local organizational strategy and the use of effective change management skills. Written candidate evaluation and low-level quantitative data demonstrate an increase in knowledge and confidence amongst nurses following the study day. Whilst the study day forms part of a more global educational concept, and not a 'stand alone' initiative, the full benefits of the encompassing programme are yet to be fully established. The author recommends the implementation of a similar programme within other acute care areas that occasionally admit critically ill children.