Life as a Nurse

I am currently working as a pediatric orthopedic nurse at Texas Children's Hospital. I love what I do. As a nurse it is often hard not to get caught up in the piles of paperwork and charting and business of the overwhelming amount of tasks that are given each day. I never want to lose site of why I became a nurse. I am so deeply passionate about caring for people. It is not fair some of the diseases that people... children... are faced with. Some people will see the inside of a hospital more than their own home in their lifetime. My heart is to bring joy and comfort to those patients, even in the tough times that they face ahead. I want to be a nurse who will give a hug when a patient is crying; sit and listen when they need to talk; educate when there is confusion; and be an advocate when they can't defend themselves.

March 8, 2014

I have been a nurse for almost 2 years now. My first year working primarily with adults and second with children. I love both for different reason and would not change my experiences for any others. My first year, I was exposed to many common injuries and disease and worked with incredible, experienced co-workers and physicians who took the time to teach me about each. I think God gave me that job to prepare me for my current job at TCH. Since working at TCH, I have been exposed to so many different, unusual, severe, and uncommon diseases. All devastating, severe or not.

I remember as a little girl seeing kids with severe disabilities and, as many kids do, staring; partially because I didn't understand and partially because I was sad for them. I would notice how every single person who walked past would stare, some disgusted by the characteristics that the disease gave the child; some confused as to why the child was the way he was; and some uncomfortable by the loud noises and motions the child would make. Many would hurry their children along or try to ignore it. Very rarely did I ever see a individual smile or try to talk to the child. I realize now that these parents, whether they meant to or not, taught their kids to treat these children different. 

I have always had a compassionate heart. Often times, I try to put my feet in other people's shoes to try to understand what they are going through and think of what I would want if I were them. In this past year, I have seen and worked with many, many children who have diseases with severe physical/mental handicaps. Yes, some do look and act different than many other children, but I have learned that their hearts are so so sweet. The most kind, loving, and innocent hearts. I no longer see them as 'different'. I have seen the love between them and their families. I am honored to take what little role I have in caring for these kids. Some days, when I look at the schedule for the day, I get excited for who is coming in because I know that he/she will always greet me with a smile and I my day will be brightened.

Though these kids are blessing to me, unfortunately other people do not see it that way. I have heard stories of these kids- severe and not- being bullied and picked on. Other kids and adults putting these children down to build themselves up. It breaks my heart and honestly infuriates me. There were times in my life that I was picked on and I remember how it made me feel, and to this day I have insecurities of some of the things I was made fun of for 10 years ago, but what I went through is no where near some of the stories of these kids. How could someone be so cruel.

What do I do to help? Can I even do anything? On a large scale, maybe not, but where I am and the few times I see these children, I love them and try to make them feel special. I give them my time, even when I may not have much.  I listen. I play. I do whatever it is that child and family need at that moment. 

I encourage you, nurse or not, young or old, whatever your circumstance may be, to do the same.

December 2013

Ronald McDonald came to visit!

November 2013

So proud to be on the Texas Children's Hospital team. Went to the store after work wearing my Texas Children's shirt and a lady walked up to me to thank me for all that I do. Her nephew has had over 40 surgeries there and she was so grateful for the friendly, loving staff that has taken care of him... Unfortunately, some children may never be able to live a normal life due to medical disabilities and spend more time in hospitals than at home; it's our job as nurses to bring joy and comfort while they are here... So humbled.



October 2013

Today I witnessed the most beautiful thing... A little boy about 4 years old was riding a toy car; that's not the beautiful part. This little boy was bald and had IV's in his arm. He was at my hospital fighting a scary and devastating disease called cancer. As I walked down the hall I watched him go as fast as he could with his dad running behind wheeling his IV pole trying to keep up. The little boy had the biggest smile that was contagious to every single person he raced past. There was a joy in that little boy's eyes that brought tears to mine. He has been through more than most kids his age yet he was so so happy... I love the hospital I work at, I love the doctors and nurses I work with. My heart is so happy to see those kiddos smile. This is why I became a nurse.

October 2013