Talking to 4-5 year olds about my job as a nurse.

[Sunflower1987]

I have been invited into my daughters class (reception) to talk to the children about my job as a nurse as part of there ‘people who help us’ topic. I believe a police officer is also visiting too. I’m a neonatal nurse but did paediatric training so could talk from a more general point of view. Has anyone done this before? What did you tell them? I can borrow a few basic bit from work such as stethoscope to show them but otherwise I’m clueless! Any hints/tips/general encouragement much appreciated!

I'd do the stethoscope, let them listen to each others hearts and maybe bandage each others arms or something like that? I'm sure they'll have lots of questions for you.

can you take stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, maybe a sats monitor? They like props and would probably like to have a go. It's also good prep for them going to hospital so they're not scared of the equipment.

Perhaps you could also talk about what to do if you find someone hurt/unconscious. Basics like call 999, know your home address.

Make it chatty, they'll have lots of questions.

Tell them about the different nurses.

Those in A&E if they hurt themselves, those in a surgical ward that help those who might need grommets or small ops. Those in the community who help children who are disabled. Etc etc

Do they have any books in the school that tell the children about what nurses do? If they did, it would be nice to back up what was said there. Especially if any of the children are going to need hospitalised at some point for routine things. That way it’s all good. If you’re going to your own library shortly you could see what the children’s books there say about nurses.

The idea about taking bandages and a stethoscope sounds good so they can bandage each other or their school teddies or whatever. I don’t know if you’d need to take some kind of disinfecting wipes if you are using a stethoscope in children’s ears or am ear thermometer? Teacher could advise?
I take it youve to wear your uniform? Do you have stickers that you could give out at the end for good behaviour (some gps do that).