Since its inception in May 2018, the Allied Health Education Activity has hosted biannual Nurse Education Days – one in the spring and one in the fall. The same topics are covered at both to allow nurses who cannot attend the first time to attend the next session.
Dr. Jody Snook, physician lead, notes that a variety of topics, some determined by paediatricians, and others requested by the nursing staff, have been covered. In 2018, presentations included: fluid balance and importance of the accurate ins and outs; and neurological, cardiac and respiratory assessments. In 2019, the Glasgow Coma Scale, Asthma and PRAM scoring, and Eat/Sleep/Console management for neonates with opioid withdrawal were covered. Topics in 2020, will be Respiratory Assessment/Respiratory Distress, Diabetes education, Code Pink events and Eating Disorder care plans.
“I do feel we have seen progress in the areas we have covered, and the nurses will also bring cases to the education days for discussion. There is a more open dialogue on the unit about questions or concerns as they arise. Generally, we have 10-15 nurses present,” states Dr. Snook.
Mostly nurses from Women’s and Children’s Health Services have attended the sessions, but sessions are also open to nursing staff from the Emergency and Intensive Care units.