Nursing Children

live4today, RN · Oct 22, 2003

I worked pediatrics for one year and didn't think going in that I would like it at all, but I did. I love kids, so that wasn't the problem. The problem was my thinking I would not be able to emotionally handle taking care of kids who were dying, or abused by their parents or other relatives, or abused by strangers, etc.

It was hard to care for a baby knowing his legs were in cast because the mother abused him and broke his legs.

It was hard to care for a toddler who couldn't keep any food down, and the docs didn't know why, only to learn the child had leukemia. Who'd a thunk?

It was difficult to see a five year old girl dying because her fifth liver transplant failed.

The stories are endless, but the love those kids showed and gave to us as their nurses was worth all the sadness we endured in caring for those little angels. Children are truly a blessing from God. I learned a lot from those little people. They taught me love and kindness and showed no prejudice. Even being so sick, they always had a smile for you, and a way to make you laugh.

Pediatrics is a very special area in nursing. Not one to take lightly. You'll go into pedi nursing wanting to help the kids and end up being the one the kids help in more ways than you can possibly imagine. Oh the things that come from the mouths of babes. Pedi nursing IS a life lesson in and of itself. If you don't grow up caring for kids, you won't grow up at all. :)

ceecel.dee, MSN, RN · Oct 22, 2003

We don't get a lot of peds...the really sick ones need more specialty than we have...but the ones I've worked with, I recognize in the community for years, and seeing them happy and healthy is...I don't know...satisfying in some way. If the folks remember me and come over to talk... I like that. I, myself, never approach them, but just smile to myself.

It seems that I remember more details of their hospital stay...they like orange popsicles only...she had to watch the whole IV start and was very interested in all the equipment used, I let her keep the tourniquet...how he hated that neb mask, so taught him to smoke a pipe...I don't remember all the details like that with most adult patients.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2003

It's hard not to get attached to the long term kids. Babies you nursed from a tiny bit of nothing on the brink to a sweetie pie you get to cuddle after a feed. But I got attached to just as many patients when I did adults. Basically the same situation, sick as a dog on a vent and many pressors and you see them walk out the door.

I have noticed that my younger co workers with no childrenn have a much stronger attachment to their patients even after discharge. Kinda strange situation IMO.

Dayray, RN · Oct 22, 2003

I can't do peds I get too attached. Death is one thing but what really bothered me was shots and IV's.

Toddlers are my favorite but I felt like I was messing with their feelings too much. I would gain their trust and then wham! give them a shot and they would be afraid of me. Then I would slowly build that trust back up and wham another shot. I really worried about how this would effect them so I had to leave.

Babies I can handle but its tough too. You get attached and then send them home with less then ideal parents and that bothers you. Also when babies die or suffer, well thats just wrong and it tears you up.

It takes a very special person to work with peds. Caring isn't enough they have to more emotionally mature then I am or think I will ever be.