Growth and development in advanced nursing, and specifically, in pediatric care. When you made your decision to pursue training as a Family Nurse Practitioner, how did pediatrics factor in your thinking? Is the opportunity to work with children and adolescents a strong motivator, or does it rank for you as more of a concern?
As you get started with this course, take time to reflect on your present capacity as you prepare to immerse yourself in the requirements of pediatric care as a nurse practitioner. How can you benefit most from this course, and how can it further you along the professional path you have chosen or in achieving your career goals?
This Discussion can be a catalyst for self-assessment and offer valuable insights from your colleagues. It is also an opportunity to get to know them and to introduce yourself, in anticipation of further interaction as you engage in the course i-Human Assignments.
To prepare:
Review this week’s Learning Resources, and particularly Chapters 5, 6, 8, and 14 of the Burns’ Pediatric Primary Care text.
Consider the roles and responsibilities of a nurse practitioner providing pediatric primary care. Work to define the strengths you bring to the position of Family Nurse Practitioner and the challenges you face. (I feel like a strength I have is direct patient care for 17 yrs, hopefully this will help me get more comfortable with taking care of the pediatric population along with communicating with the parents)
Reflect on this course and what you expect to learn and do, such as by reviewing the course description, outcomes, and course introduction. Consider how the next 11 weeks can help build your strengths and address your challenges. (I expect to learn how to examine content related to the primary healthcare of pediatric patients, from newborn through adolescence (up to age 21), while focusing on growth and development, health promotion, and common primary care health problems. I expect to learn how to identify, diagnose, and manage these problems. Also gain confidence in clinical experience in a primary healthcare setting that provides opportunities to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic regimens for acute and chronic illnesses commonly found in children and adolescents.)
Also consider your career goals and objectives and how this course can support and/or further them. Be detailed in your thinking. (I do want to get more comfortable with the pediatric population because I would like to work in an urgent care one day so taking this course will help me master skills I need to perform)