What are Pediatric Nurse Practitioners?

The following questions have been answered by our pediatric nurse practitioners:
      Barb Carr, MSN, RN, CS, PNP and
      Debbie Robinson, MSNR, RN, CS, PNP, CPON
If you should need to reach them, call the office (314-454-6018) and leave a message.

Q. What is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)?
A. A pediatric nurse practitioner is a registered nurse, specializing in pediatrics, with advanced education. Most nurse practitioners have a master's degree and some have PhD's. All nurse practitioners are licensed by the state after they pass certification exams and meet strict requirements. Nurse practitioners always work with a group of physicians. Some nurse practitioners, like Barb and Debbie, receive advanced training to become specialists. They are specialists in pediatric cancer.

Q. What can nurse practitioners do?
A. They can do the following:

  1. Give physical exams.
  2. Diagnose and treat minor illnesses.
  3. Write prescriptions for medications needed by the patient.
  4. Perform procedures like spinal taps or bone marrow aspirations.
  5. Monitor patients for side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
  6. Educate children, teens, and families about their diseases and treatments.
  7. See patients and families in the hospital and in the clinic.

Q. What will the nurse practitioners do to help children/teens diagnosed with cancer?
A. They will:

  1. Talk to children/teens/families about what to expect when treatment starts.
  2. Provide patients and families with resource material about the disease or treatment, or they will assist in obtaining the material.
  3. See patients and families on 9 West every day (Monday through Friday) and in the clinic on scheduled days.
  4. Talk to your pediatrician and keep him/her informed about your condition.
  5. Communicate with other team members to plan your care (social workers, child life specialists, school liaison) and ways to help you.
  6. Make sure there is a smooth transition from hospital to home by arranging for everything you need (medicines, supplies, home nurses, equipment, etc.) when you are sent home.
  7. Be a consistent person who is readily available for you and your family.

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