title: Hospitalized children's perceptions of nurses and nurse behaviors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To contribute knowledge concerning hospitalized children's perceptions of nurses and nurse behaviors based on the words of children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This qualitative study of hospitalized children (n = 65) involved the use of a semi-structured interview guide. Younger children were interviewed by staff nurse researchers; older children provided written responses. Data were analyzed using the reductionistic and constructionistic steps described by to identify themes and compare responses across demographic groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven themes emerged from the children's responses. Children appreciated nurses who smiled and used kind words (positive attitude/affect), took measures to reduce pain (physical comfort), provided age-appropriate diversion and light-hearted conversation (entertainment/humor), promoted positive well-being and a sense of security (advocacy), provided food and medicine (basic needs), interacted with them as an individual (acknowledgment), and provided comfort and support (reassurance). Differences were noted by age, chronicity, parental presence, prior admission, and days in the hospital.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses caring for children should acknowledge them (with conversation or smiles) with each interaction, provide age-appropriate diversion and friendly interaction, provide basic needs in a gentle manner, and engage in protective and advocacy behaviors, such as frequent stops to assure a child's safety and well-being. Children appreciate a smile, a gentle touch, and kind words. Nurses who care for children should realize their continued need for physical comfort, reassurance, and conversation and know that these children understand and appreciate the advocacy roles nurses assume.
authors.affiliation: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, USA. caschmi@siue.edu
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bernaix
authors.forename: Aimee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koski
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weese
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiappetta
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sandrik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States