My "Why"
From an early age I’ve always loved to help people, if I saw a problem I had to fix it. The older I got the more I started leaning towards the medical field. In my 9th grade year I started the Nursing program at school, it really started opening my eyes to so much more than just caring for other humans. The more I learned in my medical class, the more I knew I wanted to focus on pediatric nursing. Pediatric nursing encompasses medical care of children, from infancy to late teenage years.
Pediatric Passion
In the article by the American Psychological Association(2024) it states, “Contemporary pediatric institutions and providers acknowledge and accept that children need to feel supported and cared for by their family members during times of acute illness and hospitalization(Committee on Hospital Care and Institute for Patient and FamilyCentered Care,2012)”. It is essential for children to feel supported in times of illness or injury, and while it is ideal for families to constantly be there it is not always realistic. Family members cannot be with children while they undergo surgery or certain procedures. This is when it is highly important for the care giver to be comforting and supportive. Children need a sense of safety along with empathy within these situations. As someone who has experienced this, I know how scary and intimidating it can be, which is one of my main reasons for choosing pediatric care.I know that there are children who go through many scary procedures, some can be hospitalized long term; if comforting them and making them feel at home is a task I can do, I will strive to be as best as I can at it. Supporting this, from the article by the American Psychological Association(2024),“This approach ensures respect for their individual values and needs, creating a plan of care that is integrated into family life, providing emotional support for both the child and the family, and facilitating their involvement in care”. To add on to this source, it is also important to understand that as a nurse, you need to keep the child's guardians involved in their care and medical status. This is not always easy, as sometimes the information can be life changing. While informing guardians of information pertaining to their child, it is important to be very clear and empathetic. If they have questions,answer them,if they are distressed, comfort them as much as you can. The unknown is scary enough for a child but it also takes a toll on the parents. Making sure they are informed in a way they understand and can handle is essential in times like these. They may not show it but most times you will notice how the parents/guardians are just as scared as the child. I feel as a nurse I would make all involved my priority and help them feel as comfortable and safe as possible.
Work Cited:
Farber, J. S., Barnsteiner, J. H., O'Sullivan, A.,L., Lipman, T. H., & Deatrick, J. A. (2024). Leadership and serendipity in nursing: Lessons from the legacy of dr. claire mintzer fagin. Pediatric Nursing, 50(6), 266-269,283. doi:https://doi.org/10.62116/PNJ.2024.50.6.266
Raw Experiences
At the age of 15 I underwent major knee surgery. This was a very intimidating and nerve racking experience. I remember how scared I was, so scared I was bawling my eyes out, even more so when my parents had to go to the waiting room, leaving me alone with nurses I had never met, strangers really. I will never forget the nurse that came up to me and comforted me. She told me that her niece had undergone the same surgery and that it was all going to be okay. It may seem like a small gesture from the outside looking in, but in that moment it relieved so many of my worries.
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