Stories

Well Child Nursing – at the coal face of each community

 

Well Child Nursing – at the coal face of each community, demonstrating clinical skills, leadership, support and advocacy for families.

I work in the area of Well Child as a Clinical Leader in the One Tree Hill Plunket branch of Auckland.  As a registered nurse with post graduate qualifications in child and family health, every day I see, feel, support and experience those experiences felt by Well Child nurses at the coal face of the communities in which they practice. Nursing in Well Child family health is inherently complex, challenging yet immensely rewarding.  It is in our practice as Well Child Nurses we demonstrate both our highly honed clinical skills in infant and child assessments. The Well Child nurse intrinsically and often subtly applies her skills in communication between the client, a mother or a father; to support their quest to be the best parent they can be. To support all families, filling in the gaps, to acknowledge their difficulties yet build on their strengths. The role of Well Child is not only about the present for families it is a way of supporting families and “future proofing” their child’s future in the way of choices through health promotion.

It is a role within a scope of nursing practice which requires the ability to build relationships with families from every culture and maintain these. We call this the art of nursing and our practice outcomes, depend on it. It is this quality, and the qualities of caring and respect, I observe each day.

In all of our roles as nurses we make a difference and lasting contribution; it is sometimes just looking at the big picture within our scope of practice to see where we can be a voice for change.  It is with this in mind, in my role as a registered Well Child nurse within the community, I can advocate for families, to sit on steering groups with like- minded nurses and agencies with shared objectives to advocate for best practice, to improve the health of families and children within communities.

I am strongly of the opinion all nurses are leaders or can become leaders in their everyday practice. We can all begin to advocate especially in relation to the rights of all people whether on an individual basis or recognising a need in the community in which we practice. Every day as leaders in our practice we support health, education and justice outcomes.

I strongly feel we do not need to be politically active just socially aware and active! It is this social consciousness which drives my nursing practice. To always advocate for the unspoken voice of children. It is this conviction which inspires me to support the Well Child care delivery team in One Tree Hill. I know each of them makes an outstanding contribution to child and family health and social outcomes. I feel so honoured to lead the team of nurses. I am so proud to be a Well Child nurse.