Pediatrics

Our 22-bed pediatric inpatient unit provides family-centered care that is individualized to reflect family and patient needs, values and choices. Our nursing care is provided in a healing environment that is safe, comfortable, peaceful and supportive.

Our patient population includes neonates, infants, pediatric and adolescent populations. As an academic medical center and the only tertiary care center in Vermont, we see a wide range of health problems, from healthy with minimal issues, to acutely or chronically ill individuals.

We care for patients with pulmonary diseases, including cystic fibrosis and hematology/oncology patients. Medical services include cardiology, infectious disease, dysmorphology, nephrology, endocrinology, neurology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, immunology, pulmonology and clinical research. Surgical services include burns, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, orthopaedics, dental surgery, plastic surgery, ENG, urology and trauma.

Care is provided by a multidisciplinary team, with special attention paid to the emotional and psychological needs of families. Rounds are attended by Pediatric Psychology Services, Pediatric Advanced Care Team members, Nutrition Services, Pediatric Pharmacology, Pediatric Social Workers, Pediatric House Staff, Pediatric nursing staff and management.

We have a Shared Governance Council. Members are elected by their peers and make decisions about practice and operations on our unit. The council focuses on continually improving pediatric patient care.

For more information call Renee Dall at (802) 847-2819 or (800) 722-9922 or visit www.fletcherallen.org.

Pediatrics

Orientation

Length of orientation varies from 4 to 16 weeks, depending upon your skills and competence levels. Orientation for new grads is seen as a year-long process with the first 12 to 16 weeks dedicated to hospital orientation, systems-level nursing orientation and unit-level clinical experience and didactics. The Nurse Educator is very active in the orientation process. During the first 12 weeks, the new RN is assigned to work with preceptors to learn the routine of the unit, master organizational skills and become confident with the computer applications related to nursing documentation.