Skip Navigation

These classes are intended for new Pediatric nurses or experienced nurses in the community hospital setting. The classes are an overview of the common pediatric care topics divided into body systems.

There are a series of six Pediatric classes designed to prepare nursing staff to be able to take care of Pediatric patients using evidence-based guidelines. These comprehensive, interactive classes cover nursing assessment, interventions, management, and treatment of common disorders of the various body systems. Lecture, simulation, role playing, open discussion, and/or case studies are incorporated to offer active learning. The activities enhance critical reasoning/thinking skills to provide safe, quality care that encourages optimal patient outcomes.

Class #1 Introduction: An Overview of the Pediatric Patient

  1. Understand the normal growth and development of the pediatric patient from infancy through adolescence.
  2. Summarize the psychosocial, cognitive, moral and spiritual development theories as they relate to pediatric patients.
  3. Understand the principles of Family Centered Care.
  4. Demonstrate appropriate assessment of a pediatric patient.
  5. Describe the principles of fluid & nutrition management, pharmacologic management, and pain management in a pediatric patient.
  6. Demonstrate proper understanding of pediatric policies and procedures.

Class #2 Cardiovascular System & 12 Lead EKG

  1. Describe the normal heart anatomy and physiology of the pediatric patient.
  2. Understand the appropriate cardiovascular nursing physical assessments of the pediatric patient.
  3. Understand the common cardiovascular disease processes, causes, and treatments specific to the pediatric patient.
  4. Understand Fort HealthCare’s pediatric code blue policy
  5. Demonstrate satisfactory completion of the Pediatric 12 lead EKG competency (located in the resource library).
  6. Apply knowledge of pediatric cardiovascular system to case studies and simulation.

Class #3 EKG Interpretation & Neurological System

  1. Recognize how to read an EKG in a child.
  2. Recognize how to read an EKG in an infant.
  3. Understand the differences in neonate, infant and child EKG interpretation.
  4. Describe the PR and QRS differences in children < 3 years compared to adults.
  5. Describe the normal neurologic development and maturation of a pediatric patient.
  6. Understand the appropriate neurologic nursing assessments of the pediatric patient.
  7. Demonstrate proper use of the Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale.
  8. Understand effective pain assessment and management for pediatric patients.
  9. Understand the common neurologic disease processes, causes, and treatments specific to the pediatric patient.
  10. Apply knowledge of pediatric neurologic system to case studies and simulation.

Class #4 Respiratory System

  1. Identify key anatomy structures of a pediatric patient’s respiratory system.
  2. Understand the physiology of the respiratory system in a pediatric patient.
  3. Define respiratory distress vs respiratory failure in a pediatric patient.
  4. Differentiate between various pediatric respiratory disease processes.
  5. Recognize and treat pediatric respiratory disease processes.
  6. Demonstrate proper use of the Pediatric Asthma & Recurrent Wheezing Protocol.
  7. Verbalize understanding of the Pediatric Oxygen Administration Policy.

Class #5 Endocrine & Gastrointestinal System

  1. Understand the development of an infant and pediatric patient’s gastrointestinal system.
  2. Understand the physiology of the gastrointestinal system in a pediatric patient.
  3. Differentiate between various pediatric gastrointestinal disease processes.
  4. Recognize and treat pediatric gastrointestinal disease processes.
  5. Verbalize understanding of the Pediatric Enema Policy.
  6. Identify key anatomy structures of a pediatric patient’s endocrine system.
  7. Understand the physiology of the endocrine system of a pediatric patient.
  8. Differentiate between various pediatric endocrine disease processes.
  9. Recognize and treat pediatric patients with endocrine disease processes.
  10. Demonstrate proper use of the Pediatric hypoglycemia protocol.

Class #6: Hematology & Shock

  1. Explain the pathophysiology of shock.
  2. Evaluate clinical signs of systemic perfusion.
  3. Differentiate between compensated shock and hypotensive shock.
  4. Describe 4 types of shock (hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic, and obstructive) and the signs and symptoms of each.
  5. Identify and implement appropriate treatments for each type of shock.
  6. Identify key lab values for pediatric patient.
  7. Differentiate between various pediatric hematology disease processes.
  8. Recognize and treat pediatric patients with hematological disease processes.
  9. Demonstrate proper use of the Pediatric blood administration policy.

If you would like to enroll for all 6 classes at once and receive a 10% discount, please contact Lisa Rudolph RN, MSN, CCRN-K Fort HealthCare’s Educational Services Coordinator lisa.rudolph@forthc.com  or 920.568.5206  to enroll in the entire course.

Satisfactory completion of the post-test will award the participant 5 contact hours. Fort HealthCare Learning Center is a continuing education unit (CEU) provider through the Wisconsin Society for HealthCare Education and Training (WISHET).  Please note that one hour of instruction = 0.1 CEU (i.e. 1 contact hour = 1 CEU).

**NOTE** Withdrawals or cancellations less than 14 days prior to class will be charged a $25 fee**