The skills required by children's nurses are many and varied, and are undertaken in a variety of settings. Sick children are cared for at home, in children's units and hospitals, and sometimes in adult wards. In addition, children with disabilities may need nursing care while at special schools or in residential settings. This book provides a clinical manual of common practices. Each practice is research-based and presented in a common format which covers:

• Objectives
  
• Rationale
  
• Factors to note
  
• Guidelines
  
• Positioning
  
• Equipment
  
• Method
  
• Special observations and possible complications
  
• References and further reading
  

The guidelines have been written specifically for children's nursing by contributors from well-known children's units. They are not simply adaptations from adult practices and therefore recognise the unique differences between adult and children's nursing. The introductory section covers common concepts and infection control. There is also a chapter on complementary therapies and an appendix on the use of play as a distraction.
All hospital and community nurses dealing with children, whether at home, in specialised units or in community settings, will find the book of great practical help.