The Emotional Aspects of Pediatric

Oncology Nursing

Kiley 2 years old

JaLise 4 years old

Photos retrieved from www.stjude.org

Konner 7 years old

Training Timeline
9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:30am 11:00am 12:00pm 12:30pm Introductions Causes of Stress at Work How this Stress Can Effect Your Work as a Nurse Steps That You Can Take to Deal With This Stress Lunch Break Role Play Questions

Caring for dying children and their families can be challenging and stressful. It is difficult to acknowledge that a child is dying and will not live a normal lifespan. It is normal for nurses to experience many of the same stresses that the childs family members experience.
Josiah, 1 year old
Information retrieved from: Davies, B., & Eng, B. (1993, January-February). Factors influencing nursing care of children who are terminally ill: A selective review. Pediatric Nursing, 19(1), 9-14 Photo Retrieved from www.stjude.org

Causes Of Stress At Work:

While working here, nurses may experience stress related to their personal values and beliefs:
Over involvement with patients Identification with patients Unrealistic expectations Difficulty controlling patients pain/symptoms Difficulty predicting when death will occur Not being present when the patient dies

It is important to remember, as nurses you may also experience health care provider-related stress:
Large Amounts Of Paperwork & Increased Workload Too many patients dying at one time Lack of communication & support from administration

View death as failure

Information retrieved from: www.NHPCO.com

This Stress Can Effect Your Work As a Nurse:

Questions ability to provide good care

Avoiding patients and families

Disinterest in and concern for patients

Burnout
lack of clarity about professional role

Believe patients complaints to be manipulative

Sense of professional loneliness

Social distancing

Information retrieved from: www.NHPCO.com

Steps That a Nurse Can Take To Cope With This Stress:

Professional boundaries Know why you chose a career caring for terminally ill Speak with administrators for appropriate resources, children NEVER view death as a failure. Reflect on rewards of work and moments where you made the greatest difference staffing, and workloads Taking time off Join professional organizations Patient memory books Support from colleagues Define your role Avoid distancing from patients & their families

Information retrieved from: www.NHPCO.com Photo Retrieved from www.stjude.org

Remi, 1 year old

Questions?

Victoria Caileanu, 4 years old

Nylah, 2 years old

Training Program Costs

Training Instructor 3.5 hours at $25/hr=$87.50

Materials & Space $250.00

Lunch 20 people at $5/person= $100 Total cost of training program: $437.50