Pediatric Palliative Care an Essential Aspect of Pediatric Nursing

• Pediatric palliative care begins at diagnosis and continues during treatment and, if necessary, into end-of-life.  
• The goals of pediatric palliative care go beyond pain management. 
• Nurses who provide palliative care must become advocates, counselors, and companions for patients and their families. 

Pediatric palliative care focuses on the quality of life for pediatric patients with chronic or severe illnesses. It’s usually not the first thought when considering pediatric nursing care, but it is an essential aspect of the specialty.  

As a pediatric nurse, you will care for many patients with chronic illnesses or severe health conditions who need palliative care. Pediatric palliative care begins at diagnosis, continues during treatment and, if necessary, into end-of-life.  

Nurses serve as caregivers, advocates, and emotional support for the patient and family during this time. 

Goals of Pediatric Palliative Care 

The goals of pediatric palliative care go beyond pain management. Palliative care includes managing symptoms like pain, nausea, shortness of breath, and fatigue; providing emotional and physical support for the patient and family; providing guidance for complex care decision-making; and offering advice on the patient’s quality of life as treatment progresses.   

Symptom management is the most important goal. The key is to ensure the patient is comfortable and feels the least amount of suffering or discomfort. Nurses can do this with pharmacological or nonpharmacological techniques. Managing patient symptoms makes them feel normal — or as close to normal as functionally possible.  

Nurses also become counselors, providing valuable emotional and educational support during this time. A pediatric patient’s illness involves the entire family, creating complex emotional situations. 

As the staff member closest to the patient, watching their condition worsen can also affect you. Remember to care for your mental health and know that it’s okay to have feelings about the status of your patient. 

Caring For your Pediatric Patient 

Effective communication with the interdisciplinary care team and communicating openly with the family are vital to the quality of patient care. If the child is old enough, allow them to advocate for what they want included in their care plan. 

When a child’s condition is terminal, the focus shifts to providing the highest level of comfort possible. As the nurse, your role in end-of-life care includes preparing the patient and family for death and creating a compassionate environment for the patient’s final days. This is another reminder to care for your mental health; losing a patient is difficult, especially one that you have cared for immensely. Take your time to grieve and talk about it with your coworkers, as they are most likely experiencing the same feelings. 

The Bottom Line

Nurses are the heart of the care team when providing palliative care. They must become advocates, counselors, and companions for palliative care patients and their families. This is one of the most challenging journeys for a patient and their family. You will play a vital role in providing care and an optimal experience for the family. 

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