This article reviews contemporary literature on home care of the seriously ill child with complex care needs and the sick child/parent dyad. The literature search revealed three major themes, namely the increasing acuity of child illness, the evolving role of the parent as care provider, and the health professional as care provider. While there is much known about the complexity of care of children and the role of family in that care, little is known about what families require in terms of support and sustenance during the long years of care provision.

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The strategies identified can be used to develop a structured orientation that may ease the transition into the CNS role.

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Enhancing job satisfaction and retention of new employees is an important focus for health care facilities. A unit-specific orientation class was used to teach skills necessary for successful practice on a surgical unit and enhance retention of employees. Class attendees reported an increased level of comfort with the skills necessary for successful employment on the unit. Scores on a knowledge assessment test increased by 26% from prior to the class to after the class. The unit's 1-year retention rate increased from 44% to 84%.