Pediatric Nursing, 15 credits

Qualification as a nurse certified by the National Board of Health and Welfare

A general aim of the course is that students on completion of the course, with a professional approach, should be able to work as specialist trained paediatric nurses in paediatrics, based on values in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The course is divided in three parts. Part 1: Specific Diseases among Children and Adolescents On completion of this part, the student should be able to: - explain and assess symptoms and treatment of different somatic and psychiatric diseases among children and youths - explain fluid balance and nutrition and their importance for illness in children and adolescents - describe pharmacological principles in drug treatment of children and youths - identify possible integrative care suitable for children and youths - explain pain physiology at children of different ages, evaluate pain and different methods for pain treatment Part 2: Care in Pediatric Nursing On completion of this part, the student should be able to: - analyse specific and complex nursing needs in children and adolescents with various diseases and reflect on the nursing process and nursing documentation - assess and evaluate communication with children and adolescents in connection with nursing actions on the basis of their level of development, cultural background and gender, and considering ethical principles - reflect on support to children, adolescents and family in reactions and crisis reactions in connection with disease and hospitalisation - argue for nursing theories, pedagogical methods suitable for paediatrics - explain and evaluate evidence-based nursing within paediatrics from a national and international perspective Part 3: Clinical Training in Pediatric Nursing On completion of the course, the student should - be able to communicate with and inform children on the basis of their level of development and individuality, and their parents in the context of care actions - independently be able to identify, analyse, carry out, evaluate the complex nursing needs of children and adolescents in collaboration with them and their families, and independently be able to document the nursing - independently manage drugs with special consideration of the individual child and according to current regulations - independently be able to take responsibility for current medical engineering equipment and hygienic principles in paediatrics based on current safety precautions - independently be able to manage the nursing work, inform and teach staff and students, and through nursing supervision provide an opportunity for reflections and increased self-awareness - be able to reflect on the application of nursing theory and pedagogical methods in nursing children and adolescents - be able to initiate, plan and lead quality development based on a scientific approach aiming at evidence-based nursing within paediatrics

The course is divided in the following three parts: Part 1: Specific diseases among Children and Adolescents, 3 HE credits Specific Diseases among Children and Adolescents This part focuses on specific diseases within neonatology, child and youth medicine, child and youth surgery, emergency paediatrics and child and youth psychiatry. Nutrition, fluid balance, pharmacology, drug dosage calculation, pain and analgesia methods are highlighted with a focus on differences for children in different ages and in different medical conditions. Part 2: Care in Pediatric Nursing Care in Pediatric Nursing This part is based on children/adolescents and family in health care contacts, ethical principles such as participation, autonomy and integrity, communication in connection with examinations and treatments based on the level of development of the child, interviews and treatment of children, adolescents and family, a perspective based on cultural background and on a gender perspective. It also focuses on developing supportive neonatal nursing, care for specific medical conditions among children and adolescents, home care service, child habilitation/rehabilitation, nursing theories, the nursing process and documentation specifically for children and adolescents in paediatric care. Part 3: Clinical Training in Pediatric Nursing, 7.5 HE credits Clinical Training in Pediatric Nursing This part focuses on application, analysis and reflection on nursing during the placement in paediatrics. Care is carried out in accordance with the nursing process, and a documentation is carried out. Drug processing and calculation are applied and an estimation of pain is carried out. Nursing techniques and technical equipment for children and adolescents, are handled related to the nursing of the individual child and according to safety precautions. Also methods for quality assurance, organisation, leadership and supervision in nursing are applied.

The campus education is carried out as full-time studies. The pedagogics is based on a problem-based student-activating approach to the learning. Different working methods are applied such as individual study assignments, seminars, group discussions, lectures, proficiency training and placement. The distance education is IT-based and is characterised by independent and collaborative learning. Different working methods such as individual study assignments, work in groups, virtual discussions and seminars, lectures and placement are used The number of physical hits is limited to at most 2 days/7.5 credits. During the placement, supervision and reflection are included individually and/or in a group.

Part 1: Specific diseases among Children and Adolescents, 3 HE credits - Individual written examination Part 2: Care in Pediatric Nursing - oral seminar or IT-based seminar - Individual written examination Part 3: Clinical Training in Pediatric Nursing, 7.5 HE credits - assessed clinical education according to the AssCE-form - Clinical examination Study assignments should be carried out for participation in an examination. The compulsory parts that occur in the course are indicated in the timetable or in the study guide. The placement is compulsory (32 respectively 16 h/week). In case of absence from compulsory parts, turn to the course director. During the placement, a continuous assessment of the students' achievements takes place. Half-time and final assessment should be conducted. Professional supervisors provide a basis for assessment according to the evaluation forms. For students at the risk of failure, a written plan should be set up, at the latest at the mid-way assessment, by the course coordinator together with a professional supervisor. The student should have fulfilled the requirements for the component parts to obtain a Pass in the course as a whole. Grades are assigned by examiner. For a Pass with distinction in the course, a Pass with distinction in two of the three parts of the course are required. Limited number of examinations or practical training sessions A student without an approved result after three examinations can be offered to take the course once more. However, there are at most six examination sessions per examination. Examination times are announced at the beginning of the course. In the course, assessed clinical education is included with 5 weeks within paediatrics. Failed clinical education may be done once more.

The course evaluation takes place according to guidelines established by the Board of education.