Pre-registration children’s nurse education in play in both academic and clinical arenas: a mixed methods study

Under direction from the Nursing Midwifery Council, nurse education is becoming more generic. With an increasing adult focus there is a risk and concern that issues relevant to children’s nursing may become diluted or removed altogether. When a child is hospitalised, play becomes an important link to home. It is a way they can take control of what is potentially a very painful and distressing time for them. There is concern that children’s nurses may not be taught to assess and plan for the children’s play needs - a key part of being able to provide holistic nursing care. 

The aim was to investigate the education which pre-registration children’s nurses receive in play in both academic and clinical arenas. To achieve this three research questions were identified. First what experiences of play do pre-registration children’s nurses have whilst out on clinical placement? Secondly what are pre-registration children’s nurses taught in university concerning play? Third, what education in play would pre-registration children’s nurses like to receive to prepare them for their clinical role? 

A mixed methods design was utilised. Programme specifications and focus groups have been examined using inductive content analysis and thematic analysis. This was the first time that both programme specifications have been examined, and the opinions and experiences of student children’s nurses around play researched. 

Concerning programme specifications, only 17% cite play. Those that do, make clear links between play and communication and distraction. They do not contain any reference to therapeutic play or the benefits which play in hospital can bring. Focus group discussion centred around two main categories, ‘play within hospital’ and ‘education needs.’ 

Recommendations are made around a number of areas: the content of teaching of play within the curriculum, placement documentation, increased nurse’s awareness of the importance of play, parents being supported to play with their children in hospital, and the importance and use of the hospital playroom.