The Role of the Childrens Nurse

The role of the child and young person’s nurse has continually evolved since the mid-19th century; it was from the Minister of Health’s publication of the Platt report that it was first recognised and formerly endorsed that children should have the right to be cared for by fully trained and qualified nurses. This was the first of many reports and policies which was specifically aimed at the welfare of children. Although the Platt report was aimed at lessening the psychological effects on children during a hospital stay, it also made clear recommendations that play should be provided in the hospital setting in order to maintain the emotional, physical and social development of a child. In the wake of the Platt report and with the support of the National Association for the Welfare of Children in Hospital (NAWCH) and Save the Children, there has been a slow and steady progress across hospitals in the United Kingdom, with the emphasis on play being essential and that there should be a daily programme of play within hospitals. Based on these finding’s this essay will explore child development and its importance in the role of the child and young person’s nurse; the function of normal play; the importance of play for children in hospital; and how the child and young person’s nurse can integrate play into their practice. For the purpose of this essay the term child is used as defined by the Children’s Act (2004) as those under the age of eighteen.

Before considering the importance and purpose of pay, developing an understanding of child development will provide a greater understanding of the relationship between play and cognitive, social, psychological and emotional development. There have been a number of theorists associated with child development; Jean Piaget (1927) in particular developed his theory based around cognitive development. Piaget believed that children were active learners; and that their thinking passed through four stages; he identified the