The baby came to us from another hospital with multi-layered complications since her premature birth. Her dad was absent, and her mom had two and a half strikes working against her in life. The other hospital had reached its limit in what they could do for the baby, so they sent the baby to us. … Continue reading A Different Kind of Expertise for a Different Kind of Healing
compassion
Technology and the Loss of Human Connection in Healthcare – Part One
As charge nurse on a busy day in our PICU, I was the hub of traffic control. Two of our patients were stable enough to transfer out of the ICU to the medical/surgical floors. One patient in the ED had caught a bad respiratory virus and was struggling to breathe. One of our physicians went … Continue reading Technology and the Loss of Human Connection in Healthcare – Part One
What is Professional Grief?
I had a wonderful podcast interview last week with a pediatrician who wanted to explore the topic of professional grief in healthcare, and that made me think it would be good to write a new post with some refreshed thoughts on the topic. What are we referring to when we talk about professional grief? There … Continue reading What is Professional Grief?
The Privilege of Entering into Patient Stories
We’d never talked. She only knew I was one of the other nurses in the ICU. I knew she was the mom of the kid everyone was concerned about. She was leaning on a countertop, motionless and alone, while the whole medical team was in motion in her child’s room. I approached her, and lightly … Continue reading The Privilege of Entering into Patient Stories
The Tensions We Constantly Navigate as Healthcare Workers
My therapist recently noted how much inner work and wrestling I must be constantly doing as a nurse, without being fully aware of what is rumbling underneath the surface. Today I find myself feeling really tender, and I’ve got a feeling it’s because of the recent accumulation of patient stories that have gone unpacked, evoking … Continue reading The Tensions We Constantly Navigate as Healthcare Workers
Is Compartmentalization the Best Way to Manage our Emotions as Nurses?
I hear so many people say, "I don't know how you do your job as a pediatric ICU nurse." The advice I hear from so many around me about how to last for the long haul in this profession usually runs along the following lines: "Leave work at work." "When you clock out, you have … Continue reading Is Compartmentalization the Best Way to Manage our Emotions as Nurses?
My EndWell Talk is Live! Practioner, Parent, Patient
Being invited to speak at EndWell's annual symposium last year was such an incredible honor. I LOVED giving this talk. People say all the time, "I don't know how you do the work that you do as a pediatric ICU nurse without being overwhelmed by all the emotions." "I don't know how you can be … Continue reading My EndWell Talk is Live! Practioner, Parent, Patient
Asking Beautiful New Questions as a Seasoned Nurse
Having worked in my current PICU for a little over 13 years now, I find that it’s easy for me to get comfortable with the way I’ve learned to go about things, without taking moments to approach my practice with a more curious, teachable heart. I’m discovering how refreshing it can be when I remember … Continue reading Asking Beautiful New Questions as a Seasoned Nurse
Brief thoughts on walking with those who grieve and suffer
If someone comes to you carrying 200 pounds and says, "I've been carrying a heavy load for a while and I hurt," don't say, "At least you're not carrying 300 pounds!" or "Look on the bright side!" or "I don't know how you do it." Acknowledge the weight. Help carry some. Facilitate their rest.
The Art of Healthcare
(An earlier version of this article was recently printed in our PICU's newsletter.) There is a long list of technology, procedures and interventions to learn about in order to care for patients in the PICU. We can’t avoid marrying so much of our care for the patient with our management of all the technology and … Continue reading The Art of Healthcare
The Heart of Nursing 