[msgm]

I want to be a nurse like the majority that we encountered. As the mom of a former, chronically-ill child, I am so thankful for the nurses that cared for us! My dh or I was with him all day and every night, except for the 6 month NICU stay. However, in PICU, I needed to go to the bathroom, shower, or cafeteria. Since they usually had two patients, it wasn't a problem. On the floor, we were frequently in a room down the hall and no one was near. We were eight feet from the elevator and I didn't feel comfortable leaving him alone. I only needed help when I ran to the cafeteria when meals weren't provided. I LOVED having the hospital volunteer "Grannies" come in to take care of him. They were wonderful and we had no family nearby to help. They spoiled him rotten and would stop by and ask me to "go have some fun" for an hour or two. There were also student nurses who would volunteer to help. Since we were in so frequently and for long periods of time, it was so nice. It's been 10 years, but I haven't forgotten their kindness. I'll never forget David in PICU, who practically ordered dh and I to go out to eat and to a movie. He had one patient "knocked out" and wasn't scheduled to get any new admit. He wanted to watch a football game. Dh and I returned to find him rocking our son and watching the end of the game. LOL! We also had wonderful nurses who grew close to our other son who was three years older. I also remember the nurses who made us feel like a request for anything was a bother. We had the rep of being devoted parents who never complained, so it wasn't that we were constantly a problem. Those nurses didn't remain in pediatrics very long.

Working with kids and dealing with their parents can be a challenge!

[bookworm1]

I, too, am just studying to be a nurse. As a mother of a chronically ill son that requires frequent hospitalization, I appreciate the nurses that offer to help so I can go home to shower or change clothes. I live in an area with many hospitals, but the only ones that are willing to care for my son are located in Chicago...at least 45 minutes from my home in good traffic.

It is extremely painful for me to think that nurses may avoid giving my child good supervision just because he/she doesn't like me. Even more of a reason for me to neglect the rest of my family while my son is hospitalized. Please remember that even overworked nurses are given opportunities to go home and freshen-up. If 'now' isn't a good time to give the parent a break, offer an alternative solution. If there are volunteers, recommend them. If a parent is truly neglectful, call CPS. When he is hospitalized, we are often placed in one of the rooms with a 'boarder-baby'. I always assist staff with that child and any other child that I can help with but greatly appreciate the nurses that work together to make sure my son can be supervised while I go home to visit the rest of my family! I dream of working in pediatrics after I graduate. Attending to the children will a pleasure with or without the parents help and I hope to never suffer from burn-out.

[kiminco]

I feel as a peds nurse although the child comes first, you are taking care of the whole family. If a parent wants a break, I make sure I can get them one. Whether it be me sitting with the child for a few minutes while I have someone else watching after my patients, working a deal with the parent to find the best time for both of us, getting a volunteer to come and sit with the patient, if it is an infant and they can come of out the room, but them in a wagon and bring them to the desk where all the nurses can keep an eye on them. I agree, unless it is impossible for the family to be at the bedside, they should be there as much as possible, but everyone needs a break and were are there to take care of everyone which gives the child the best care possible.

[LiveZen]

As some of the other posters have mentioned...use your volunteers.

I am a volunteer (just got back from my shift actually) and that is the whole reason I am there...to help you all out with your families. I rock babies, feed bottles, sit with kids (a LOT!) so mom can go get lunch, etc. See if your hospitals has them available. At my hospital, Child Life is in charge of the on-the-floor volunteers. We wear pagers, and the Child Life Office can page us if a family requests a volunteer. If we haven't been "Requested," we spent our time doing rounds to see if anyone needs anything. Just today, I stopped by the room of a 13 y/o who had a room (we'll call it 57) full of family, so I politely left the room to give him his privacy. As I was walking by the nurses station (not two minutes later), one of the PCA's said, "If you're not busy, room 57 decided they do want you!" Don't hesitate to get your volunteers involved. Our hospital had a crazy day today (tons of new admits yesterday...very suddenly) and I am glad that I could help them out!

And yes, the volunteer "Grannies" are great...we have some of them too...All the other volunteers on my shift are a the very least twice my age...I'm 20.

[ItsyBitsySpider]

I had a parent yesterday that told me when her son was hospitalized in Houston this summer, she was forbidden to leave the room at all! Now granted, she is probably exaggerating, but she said she was told on admission that under no circumstances would she be allowed to leave him. This kid is an adolescent with no psych, behavioral, or other physical or mental issues that would require round-the-clock observation. Just wondering if anyone's ever heard of this or has this rule at their place of employment. I thought it was a bit extreme especially considering his age.

[courtneyrobinson]

Yes i do agree that the nurses should be there for the parents when they need some time to go get something to eat or run home for more clothes b/c they didn't expect to stay at the hospital for that long. But the only problem and the main reason why hospitals have this rule is because of the people who will take full advantage of the nurses an the nursing staff. "I need to go smoke can someone please come watch my baby" and that is when the nursing staff is able to say no b/c we do not take time out of our jobs or find someone to sit in thier room b/c they want to smoke. These are the type of parents that don't just go smoke once a day when times are very stressful its like 6-7 times a shift. or they plain won't tell you they are leaving they just leave their kid to smoke. I fully agree that parents need thier time away b/c they are sitting in that small room and maybe they just need some fresh air but what nurses have to do is educate that smoking is not something that we babysit for. And the times that they just get up and leave thier children and not told anyone that they are going anywhere we have asked them do you run to the store just to pick up something and leave your baby home alone but your neighbor is right outside they will hear if anything happens they always say no. so we say its the same thing here you can't just leave your children you have to atleast say that your going so we can sit with your child.

[courtneyrobinson]

i wasn't trying to be rude at all it just amazes me that parents would want to leave their sick children do selfish things. My sister is a single mother w/ a child that is in the hospital all the time. Which she never leaves the room unless somebody in the family is in the room and that is to run and get food or to milk for the baby. but being a ped nurse that is one thing i'll never understand is why parents want to leave their sick baby for selfish reasons.

[climberrn]

I work PICU but sometimes float to peds. When parents ask if I can stay with their kiddo, I find most of them respond very well to my honesty. If I can, right then I do but I always include the caveat that I might have to leave if another patient is in trouble. If I can't right then, I tell them when I can and then I make sure that I follow through. I've never had anyone be upset with that. I would venture to say that most parents, if you give them respect and options (I can't stay while you get the milk but I can get the milk now and give you a break in about 30 minutes) are fine with it. Most are reasonable people and recognize you have other responsibilities.