Year 1 Complete

This week will be my 1-year mark in my "new" ish unit and I can only say time flies when you are having fun. When I was praying for a new job, little did I know that God would provide such a perfect place as this. It has been so fun getting to see the sweetest kids in the world. Some are bright and chatty, others shy and adorable. My heart just gets giddy thinking about these darn cuties. 

Some lessons/thoughts on the first year...

1. Resilience. These kids have so many health challenges but they fight hard. It's different from PICU because I see the way that their chronic illness affects their everyday routine- perhaps a more well-rounded perspective. I often wonder, how did they ever go through it all? Sometimes it just feels like they never get a break- bad news after bad news. But they bounce back and they are still afloat. 

2. Treasure the times. I've grown attached to the families I see (surprise surprise). The hardest parts have been expecting to see them but finding out that they are declining in their health or have passed before I got to say goodbye. On the brighter side, some kids finish treatment, and no longer need to be seen but even then it sucks to not be able to see them regularly. No one is ever guaranteed tomorrow, but why is it that when the time together seems short we start to value each moment? 

3. Sincerity. Connection and rapport build on the foundation of sincerity. You'd be surprised how much the families will trust you when you genuinely care about how that science project is going, how their birthday party went, or how they are coping with stressors x,y, and z. The nurses I call coworkers are so good and making people feel comfortable and well. They are true hallmark nurses that I've been able to glean from. 

4. Population in need. There are real gaps in good follow-up's for kids with chronic diseases. Some of these specialties could manage care better. Also, children with autism or downs syndrome need a facility that can meet their needs. Finally, parents with special needs children need extra support with the burdens they carry.