Tag: Pediatrics

Certified nursing assistant (CNA) jobs are in high demand due to the critical need for round-the-clock pediatric care. Through their experience and knowledge, professionals in this field ensure the best comfort and safety of young to infant patients. They also ensure they leave a positive impact on both patients’ and parents’ lives. Keep exploring to discover how these positions cater to the growing demand.

Current State Of Modern Pediatric Critical Care

The demand for pediatric critical care is on the rise thanks to multiple factors, including the best treatment for infants. According to Grand View Research, the Pediatric Critical Care Market was estimated at $27.13 billion back in 2023. The same study also stated that the number will increase by 5.87%.

Other factors contributing to the current state are the growing need for specialized care among infants and young children. This applies not only to families but also to hospitals and medical facilities. 

Job Growth and Opportunities for CNAs

CNA job opportunities have grown in recent years and will continue expanding soon. Employers highly seek CNAs for their advanced, high-quality care. 

The increasing need for intensive care for pediatric patients is also contributing to job availability in this field. Additionally, more families continue to seek tailored healthcare solutions for their children. 

With ample opportunities for career advancement, CNAs are well-equipped to shape the future landscape of pediatric nursing. For example, CNAs help minimize the nurses’ workload, such as monitoring vital signs or tending to the patient’s basic care needs. 

Additionally, nursing assistants serve as the first point of contact for inquiries if other nurses are unavailable. However, this still depends on the responsibilities their supervisor delegates to them. Their roles make them both caregivers and essential links between healthcare providers and families.

Expectations Within The CNA Position

In addressing the growing needs, medical companies aim to build RN careers and provide opportunities for both parties. Families and medical professionals will have a reliable contact, while eager individuals will gain experience and skills.

Additionally, CNA jobs revolve around an array of tasks, each aiming to ensure the well-being of young patients. Whether they are working with parents directly or collaborating with healthcare professionals, their presence ensures positive outcomes. 

Pediatric nurses and assistants are both mentally and physically fit to deliver round-the-clock pediatric care. Some common roles include:

• Monitoring Vital Signs: They regularly monitor the patient’s vital signs, such as their temperature, blood pressure, and respiration rate. This helps them assess the patient’s overall health and take necessary actions if abnormal readings are discovered.

• Medical Applications: If approved by supervisors, CNAs are also responsible for medical applications. Since managing medications is a shared responsibility in pediatric nursing, nurses must be knowledgeable about dosages and potential side effects.

• Cardiac Management: According to the Mayo Clinic, around 40,000 infants are born with heart defects every year. Pediatric nurses, including CNAs, must be particularly attentive to patients with cardiac-related needs. Furthermore, they will collaborate with healthcare providers to manage and adjust patient care.

• Diabetes Management: CNAs also keep an eye on regularly monitoring and treating infants’ blood sugar levels. Part of their role includes checking glucose levels and helping parents understand how to manage their condition effectively. 

• Injury Recovery: In specific situations, CNAs also help support infant injury recovery. They assist young patients with rehabilitation exercises and mobility training. By providing encouragement and physical support, these nursing assistants contribute significantly to the healing process.

• Neonatal Feeding and Growth: Some nursing assistants also help with feeding and monitoring newborn growth. Contributing to neonatal care is critical to ensure that infant patients thrive during their early stages of life.

• Transitioning Patients from Hospitals to Homes: Nursing assistants also facilitate the transition of pediatric patients from hospital settings back to their homes. Depending on staff availability and supervisor approval, the CNAs educate families about ongoing care needs and regular attention. They will also share pediatric home care tips for improved living.

Long-term Impact on the Healthcare Workforce

The future of certified nursing assistants in pediatric healthcare is both prosperous and promising. In meeting the demand, these individuals will have opportunities to advance their careers to new heights. 

By continuously building their existing skills and knowledge, they can deliver long-lasting impacts in different ways. Additionally, catering to those looking for these positions also showcases a positive message regarding quality of life and pediatric healing. 

As healthcare systems increasingly recognize the need for pediatric expertise, their demand for skilled nurses will continue to rise. Accessing available pediatric nurses alleviates staffing shortages and makes these services more accessible. Moreover, by meeting the growing demands, families won’t feel limited in their options to access pediatric care and assistance. 

This offers valuable experience that can lead to advanced positions in nursing or other medical specialties. 

Rely on Nursing Evolutions For Elevated Infant Care

Available CNA jobs cater to various needs in pediatric care. Whether it is for monitoring vital signs to applying medical treatment, these assistants ensure all hands are available for complex medical tasks. Hiring an infant nurse is a solution with so many benefits, which is something you shouldn’t miss.

Nursing Evolutions provides a dedicated team of nurses to provide top-notch care to our most vulnerable members. We believe in driving change and transforming infant healthcare. Visit our website today for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

While many medical establishments offer RN careers to meet skilled nursing demands, many people are curious about the role. Their questions can range from general responsibilities to work requirements and are asked on a regular basis. Listed below are the most frequently asked questions about being a CNA.

What does CNA stand for?

CNA stands for “certified nursing assistant.” This position indicates that the specific individual has completed the necessary training to provide essential care to patients. CNAs commonly assist with daily activities, such as monitoring vital signs and supporting nursing staff.

What is the best part of being a CNA?

CNAs’ actions often result in deep relationships with their patients and colleagues. Many individuals find joy in helping patients, while others are satisfied with improving their quality of life. This role offers numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Infection control is important in pediatric home care. It ensures that children with medical needs stay safe and healthy at home. After all, your child can have a compromised immune system or may be undergoing medical treatments that increase their vulnerability to infections. So, knowing the best practices medical professionals implement to control infections is important.

To help keep your home safe, below are valuable tips and strategies to enhance your child’s protection.

Understanding Infection Risks in Pediatric Home Care

The first step to preventing infections in pediatric home care is to know their sources. The most common viral and bacterial infections that affect children include:

• Skin infections. Cuts or scratches on children’s skin can infect them with conditions like impetigo, cellulitis, and abscesses.
• Throat infections. Bacterial pneumonia and bronchitis are infections that bacteria can cause in children’s lungs and airways. These infections could lead to cough, fever, and difficulty breathing.
• Colds. Caused by various viruses, which manifest into symptoms like runny nose, sore throat, and cough.
• Influenza (flu). This type of infection is caused by a virus that can spread through respiratory droplets. It’s characterized by high fever, body aches, cough, and fatigue.

Understanding these infection risks helps you and your child’s caregivers take the appropriate precautions to protect your child’s health and effectively manage potential threats.

Basic Infection Control Practices

Below are the best practices that medical providers implement to prevent infections during pediatric home support: 

Hand Hygiene

Handwashing is one of the most effective methods for preventing infections in pediatric patients. It reduces organism transmission, which can help protect them against conditions like diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.

It’s advised that you wash your hands according to the following situations:

• Before, during, and after food preparation 
• After eating
• When arriving back home after going outside
• After caring for or playing with pets
• Before and after administering medication
• Before and after handling medical equipment

Hand washing is most effective when you scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. To enhance protection, you can also apply hand sanitizer after hand washing. It’s also a good alternative if you don’t have access to soap and water, as long as the hand sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol.

Cleaning and Disinfection

Cleaning and disinfection are important methods to implement to prevent infection in pediatric home support. Surfaces that need frequent cleaning include:

• High-touch surfaces (ex. door knobs, light switches, countertops, etc.)
• Personal items (ex. pacifiers, teething rings, etc.)
• Toys

For high-touch surfaces, use disinfectant wipes or a disinfecting solution and a paper towel to clean. To prevent cross-contamination, use separate cleaning materials for surfaces that come in contact with food (e.g., countertops).

For toys and personal items, wash them in the dishwasher if they’re dishwasher-safe. Otherwise, use soap and water for cleaning. Afterward, ensure each item is thoroughly dried before returning it for your child’s use.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) can also help prevent infections during home nursing care. PPE protects you and your child’s nurses from exposure to body fluids and potentially infectious materials.

Examples of PPEs include:

• Gowns
• Gloves
• Masks
• Googles

To prevent contamination, store unused PPE in a clean, dry area. It’s also a good idea to keep them in their original containers until you need them.     

Managing and Preventing Infections

Now that you’re aware of the best practices for preventing infection at home, here are steps you can take to manage and prevent its risks:

Monitoring Health

Knowing how to detect the early signs of infection can significantly reduce its risks. That said, it’s a good idea to develop and maintain a system of identifying symptoms during pediatric home care.

Some signs of infections you can watch out for include:

• Fever
• Rash
• Cough
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing

Regular visits to your child’s doctor can also help monitor their health and catch any potential infections.

Medication and Treatment

If your healthcare provider detects symptoms, they will prescribe your child antibiotics for bacterial infections and antivirals for viral infections. Make sure to use the medication as prescribed by your doctor to ensure its effectiveness and reduce the risk of resistance.

It’s also best to do regular follow-ups with pediatric health services. This way, they can evaluate the medication’s effectiveness and adjust your child’s treatment plan if needed. Also, don’t forget to watch out for any side effects of the medication. If you spot some, report them to your child’s doctor immediately.

Preventive Measures

Vaccines are a safe and effective method for building your child’s immunity against various serious diseases. To reduce the risk of infections, make sure your child’s immunizations are up-to-date. Ensure they get routine vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, and influenza.

Depending on your child’s condition, they may also need additional vaccines because of underlying health conditions. If this is the case, it’s best to consult their doctor for vaccination recommendations.

Choose Nursing Evolutions for Compassionate Home Care

Knowing how to control infections is an important aspect of pediatric home care. It helps protect your child from having their condition from exacerbating. That said, implementing strategies and best practices, such as proper hand hygiene and cleaning, are effective methods for keeping your home safe.

To ensure your medically fragile child’s safety and protection, consider talking with your child’s physician about a trusted pediatric care service like Nursing Evolutions. We provide outstanding, patient-centered nursing care based on literature-based practices. For more information, contact us today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to your frequently asked questions to help you learn more about pediatric at-home care:

What are the situations in which home care commonly is used for children?

Pediatric home care is most common for children with chronic or severe conditions, such as cardiac disease, complications from prematurity, and neurodegenerative diseases.

What is the function of home care?

Pediatric at-home care aims to support children with medical needs, disabilities, or chronic conditions while allowing them to remain in a familiar and comfortable environment.

How to care for pediatric patients?

Caring for pediatric patients involves closely monitoring their medical needs, administering medication, and providing personalized therapies. It also ensures their comfort and emotional well-being are in good hands. It also includes ongoing communication with medical providers to adapt health care plans.

Author: Sophia Hart, Pediatric Critical Care RN

At Nursing Evolutions, we understand the profound impact that patient quality of life has on their overall health, recovery, and resilience. With this understanding as a guiding principle, we are dedicated to providing as many enriching experiences as possible to enhance the lives of our patients. 

Enriching Experience for Patients

From regular walks to the park, visits to the pumpkin patch, to zoo days with families, these are just a few examples of the diverse experiences we offer to enrich the lives of our patients. We believe that these activities not only bring joy and happiness but also contribute positively to their physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development. 

While hospitals are remarkable places to receive care from many providers and specialties, they often struggle to provide the “normal” childhood experiences essential for holistic development. This challenge is particularly pronounced during long-term stay in units like the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Units, where the environment can interrupt children’s development on multiple levels. 

Creating a Nurturing Environment

In our facilities, we prioritize creating an environment that prioritizes both the safety and growth of our patients in all areas of life. Our progressive critical care facility goes beyond traditional nursing care to provide a nurturing environment where children with complex health conditions can truly be kids. Whether it’s crawling in the grass, playing with other children, or doing regular kid things like trick-or-treating on Halloween, we strive to offer experiences that are difficult to replicate in a hospital setting. 

Integrating Play and Complementary Therapies in Pediatric Care

Central to our approach is the belief that pediatric care should revolve around play. We recognize the profound impact that play can have on reducing anxiety and mitigating healthcare-related trauma. As such, we ensure that our nursing interventions are as enjoyable as possible, engaging our patients in activities that cater to their developmental needs, whether participating in pretend play, hide-and-seek, stacking blocks, or participating in matching games. We tailor our play to support each individual patient’s growth, following recommendations from their interdisciplinary team 

In addition to traditional medical care, we integrate complementary therapies into daily life at our facilities. Music therapy is beneficial in improving patient quality of life. Our patients have dance parties and the kids get excited to learn simple songs to on play pianos. These moments of joy and connection help ensure that our houses are rarely quiet, filled instead with the sounds of laughter and play. 

At Nursing Evolutions, improving quality of life permeates care practice, from our daily routines to our exciting outings, ensuring that our patients receive the comprehensive support they need to thrive.