Pediatric Surgical Nurses as Advocates for Immigrant Latinx Children

Latinx children represent over a quarter of the child population in the United States and are cared for by pediatric nurses in various settings across the care continuum. In the clinical setting, medical interpretation resources help pediatric nurses interact with their patients and their families, yet significant barriers to therapeutic communication remain. A case study will illustrate critical points for nurses to consider as they strive to provide the best care for their Latinx pediatric patients and their families. Although most support resources are community based, nurses who better understand the social and legal implications of immigration support higher levels of advocacy at the bedside.