Date of Award

4-17-2017

Document Type

Restricted Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Deborah Schumacher

Abstract

Educational sessions for pediatric nurses on the utilization of healing touch modalities are necessary to increase the nurse's confidence in providing options for pain management. Pediatric pain perceptions and behaviors are unique and require appropriate pain assessment and management. Four healing touch modalities that can be used for pain management with the pediatric population are touch therapy, massage, acupressure, and Reiki. An educational session was created to provide pediatric nurses information on how to use healing touch modalities for pain management with the pediatric patient. Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring Science is a guide for nurses using healing touch modalities and encourages transpersonal connections between the nurse and patient. A metaphor of healing hands represents a visualization of nurses loving care and healing presence that is transferred to the patient with healing touch modalities. Continued research and utilization review are needed to assess the success of the project of educating nurses on using healing touch modalities on a Midwest pediatric inpatient unit. Nurses having education on healing touch modalities for pain management will offer more transpersonal connections with patients and provide a healing environment.

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