When I am out and about and someone I do not know finds out that I am a nurse, I’m asked where I work. I take a deep breath and say, “Riley Hospital.” I brace myself for what comes next… "Riley?!? I don’t know HOW you work there! You must be an angel!" I typically respond with, "Hardly an angel. It’s a great place to work. I receive so much more than I give." I’ve worked at Riley for almost 11 years. I started in the Pediatric ICU, and then transitioned to the Emergency Dept.
During this time, I’ve had the privilege to learn more about people than I ever imagined. When you try to explain to an anxious family what they can expect when their child comes out of the OR into the PICU, it is a huge responsibility to be forthcoming, yet compassionate in your delivery. You need to be realistic, but not scare the bejeebies out of them. Most importantly, you learn to meet them where they are and take it from there. In the ED, you are charged with supporting families in the exact instant their lives change forever. In an instant, their child is a paraplegic. In an instant, their child is diagnosed with cancer. In an instant, their child is gone…forever.
From these families, I’ve learned that no one word is adequate, yet more than one can be too much. I don’t know how they feel, but I do know how blessed it feels to be given that moment with them. That moment that lets these vulnerable people know they are not alone. I’ve been given hugs, kisses and even slobbery “raspberries” by patients; all of this usually before I come at them with a needle. I’ve received toddler head butts, pre-school kicks in the shin and baby feet in the chest. Even through this, I give what I can in an attempt to make that time in a kid and his/her family’s life just a smidgen better.
So, no, I’m not an angel. I’m "just" a nurse. And like I mentioned before, I receive so much more than I could ever possibly give.
Terry
To apply for a Registered Nurse position at Clarian, visit Registered Nursing Position Indiana.
During this time, I’ve had the privilege to learn more about people than I ever imagined. When you try to explain to an anxious family what they can expect when their child comes out of the OR into the PICU, it is a huge responsibility to be forthcoming, yet compassionate in your delivery. You need to be realistic, but not scare the bejeebies out of them. Most importantly, you learn to meet them where they are and take it from there. In the ED, you are charged with supporting families in the exact instant their lives change forever. In an instant, their child is a paraplegic. In an instant, their child is diagnosed with cancer. In an instant, their child is gone…forever.
From these families, I’ve learned that no one word is adequate, yet more than one can be too much. I don’t know how they feel, but I do know how blessed it feels to be given that moment with them. That moment that lets these vulnerable people know they are not alone. I’ve been given hugs, kisses and even slobbery “raspberries” by patients; all of this usually before I come at them with a needle. I’ve received toddler head butts, pre-school kicks in the shin and baby feet in the chest. Even through this, I give what I can in an attempt to make that time in a kid and his/her family’s life just a smidgen better.
So, no, I’m not an angel. I’m "just" a nurse. And like I mentioned before, I receive so much more than I could ever possibly give.
Terry
To apply for a Registered Nurse position at Clarian, visit Registered Nursing Position Indiana.
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