Hi all, I begin my graduate year in jan 2010 at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. I was just wondering if any of you with experience in paediatric hospital nursing might have some pointers / tips / advice / words of wisdom for me as I'm pretty freaked out about the whole thing. 

One of my main concerns is a lack of knowledge in performing even the most basic pf procedures on kids such as taking blood, since everything is so different in child nursing. The hospital only gives us 2 supernumary days so I am envisioning a LOT of time spent trying to find someone to help me and stumbling around frustrated. Any pointers? 

I know the Hospital's website is good, I'm more looking for inside practical advise from paeds nurses. Particularly little tricks you've found invaluable in negotiating with children or working with children or comforting children. Thanks!

The best tips for you is to remember distraction ++++++ It is possible with some wiggles and well placed angel cream to get a blood sample without them even noticing!!! As for obs, try and do most of them from as far away as possible, RR from the end of the bed, pulse is sometimes easier from the foot as then they can play with something in their hands. As for BP, most of the time you only need a baseline BP and then repeat only if the condition worsens, or if there is a particular reason, eg ?UTI, Cardiac issues, dehydration, oncology pt, blood transfusion. If a child is coming in with bronc, they most likely don't need a BP