Peds nurses how are you able to detach yourself emotionally from hurting children and babies? I can't even watch a 5 min clip of children in the ER without crying about it.

I wanted to be a pediatric nurse in a children's hospital but not anymore.

Moved to Pediatric Nursing Forum.

I'm no longer in peds, but when I was, no one enjoyed doing painful procedures on the kids, but when you see them get better you know it was worth it, and most kids do get better unlike with adults that are more likely to be chronic or ultimately terminal. Also, kids are resiliant and honestly usually a sticker or snack will distract them after, or even a colorful bandaid and lots of praise. With more experience if it still bothers you maybe the ed isn't the best place because there are lots of procedures and you don't get to see the long term results...maybe inpatient where you still do the procedures but more spread out and usually you watch the kid walk or be carried out healthy at the end. I certainly wouldn't rule it out because of one YouTube video. And honestly, sticking adults is no picnic either:)

Thank you for being so encouraging! And seeing children in pain hits home where my young neice was always in pain, suffering from Acute Chest Syndrome.

Of all 10 years of nursing, I have worked with Pedi patients; one learns that the focus of advocating for the best trumps the "hurting" factor.

I focus on what I am doing is going to help them; most kids are resilient as the previous poster stated, so my care is tailored to making sure that comfort is readily available before, during, and after a procedure that can be stressful for the child.

The amazing thing about pediatrics is the sheer resiliency of children! Things that would knock you or I down, they take in stride. It's never good to see a child hurting and sick. But more times than not, these children get better. They walk out of the hospital. They go HOME! :) Their pain is temporary. I will be honest and say that I carry my chronic kids, my terminal kids, around in my heart. And yes, it's sad. It's sad knowing that these kids will die. But at the same time.... it is a gift. A gift to be there for these kids, and their families. I have learned to see taking care of a dying child and their family as a privilege. Is it sad? Yes. Is it fair? No. But it is a part of life, a part of medicine, a part of my job.... and in those times, we can make the most impact. And it is those sad times that teach me more about myself than any other.

There are so many times that these children teach me more than I will ever teach them.

:)

I don't think of anything I do as "hurting" my patients. Sure they cry when they get a shot (though I've also had baby patients who laughed and clapped after getting shots) but we're not giving them shots to hurt them... we are immunizing them against deadly illnesses or giving them medication to treat their illnesses. Most kids deal with procedures better than adults. I'd rather give a shot to a 4 year old than a 40 year old man any day of the week.

Wolfson Children's Hospital Employees Develop Program to Make IV Sticks and Blood Draws Ouchless”

Child life specialists are really amazing at distracting kids from scary things (PICC lines, X-rays, you name it).

Do some research on your local children's hospital to see what programs they may offer.

I don't think it as hurting a child but helping. Life isn't meant to be pain free. That misconception is the cause of unrealistic expectiins as adults. It is helping a child how to get through the difficult. Love compassion and support is what I advocate.

While most procedures can be painful, children can be distracted very easily.

I don't think any Peds nurse became a Peds nurse to hurt kids! Nobody likes doing painful stuff, but is it necessary to help heal them so they can get back to being kids!

Bubbles, stickers, coloring sheets work wonders

Also shot blockers, ELMAX, cold spray, J-tips help with painful stuff

So does child life and their wonderful iPad

A lot of kids tend to cry more because they don't understand why and what's happening and that they are being held by strangers to do the procedures.

The last kiddo that got to me was a hem/onc pt who I had to access the port her skin around the port was raw from being accessed so many times.

I almost cried with her during the process, but she needed to be accessed she needed life saving ABX, as she had no WBC and had spiked a fever. She hated me in that moment, but after singing Wheels on the Bus and some Oreos and milk she was content and smiling again.

Guaranteed an adult pt would not be happy with me if I offered cookies and milk after a painful procedure