I walked into the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for my first rotation. I was excited for all the things I would inevitably learn, but the excitement quickly shifted to shock when I walked into the patient’s room.
As I entered, I saw a young infant in a bassinet positioned slightly upright. She was intubated and sedated, on contact precautions, with an NG tube in place and a brightly colored sign above her indicating special precautions for her skull.
What happened before I walked into that room
Shortly before I met her, this infant had been brought in after experiencing a severe seizure. She was rushed to the operating room, where she underwent emergency brain surgery to relieve pressure.
Part of her skull had been temporarily removed and could not yet be replaced. I later learned she also had multiple fractures in different stages of healing and bruising on her lower body.
The emotional weight of caring for vulnerable children
This shift solidified my desire to go into pediatrics after nursing school. It is one thing to be taught in school that children are a vulnerable population. It is another thing to have this be your first experience.
I spent the entire shift in this baby's room. During assessments, I spoke to her, regardless of her sedated state. Watching this baby lie in her bassinet, completely vulnerable, shaped me in a way that I will carry with me through my career.
My nursing purpose
As nurses, we always want the best for our patients. This case showed me that it goes far beyond just medicine.
