This patient made my day

About a month ago, I had this little Spanish speaking girl as one of my patients. She had just gotten admitted before my shift started, she was scared, crying, her mother was a mess. She had been attackied by two rottweilers and by the grace of God a neighbor shot a gun in the air and they released. She had bite marks all over her legs, scraps and bruises everywhere and five penrose drains in her leg. I had to put her in the tub once on my shift per orders and soak her legs. She did OK for me, but subsequent baths didnt go so well. I made sure her pain was well controlled, her Mom got a chance to get in the shower, and I stroked her hair every chance I got. She cried alot during my shift, sometimes she spoke small words to me and sometimes not. I went home that night, hoping she would learn not to cringe at the sight of a dog.

The next shift I worked, I stopped by her room to check on her. As I pulled back the curtain and approached her bed, she had the biggest smile on her face and she put her arms out to me for me to give her a hug. I was floored and tears immediately came to my eyes. THAT is the reason I am a pediatric nurse.