September 2021
Caroline
Whelan
,
BSN, RN
Transitional Care Unit TCC
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati
,
OH
United States
You can tell that opportunities to teach, instruct, and empower families is something that Caroline is passionate about.
The number of reasons why Caroline is excellent could fill an entire book. When we first met her, she was the charge nurse. The next time we saw her, she was our daughter’s nurse for the day. The next time after that, she was leading the skin team; she could literally do it all and was extremely knowledgeable in what she was doing. Our family instantly clicked with her and could tell that she was just different. She loves what she does and the joy that radiates from her fills the entire unit. To have her hands in so many places while being proficient in everything is so impressive. She wasn't afraid to do the small things that made our experience 100x better. Some people have a special presence about them, and Caroline is definitely one of those people.
Caroline's energy when we first met really stood out to my wife and I. When we transferred from the NICU to the TCC, she was the charge nurse that came to do the handoff. Immediately we were comforted by her excitement and joy. But really we didn't get to know her well until she took care of our daughter for the first time. It happened by mistake because she had asked to have another patient again with a similar name to our daughter. But what a great mistake it was because Caroline was/is an amazing nurse, and we were able to get to know her and that really helped us get more comfortable on the unit and with the care team. Caroline was present for my wife's 24 hour stay as well as the final 4 hours of mine. You can tell that opportunities to teach, instruct, and empower families is something that Caroline is passionate about. She wouldn't simply tell us but invited us to participate in the answers to our questions. She actively demonstrated, explained, and guided us through various aspects of taking care of our daughter. This was so helpful because the chance to go home was heavily weighted on our own education and ability to care for her.
We trusted Caroline so much, and it was clear other nurses on the floor did as well. If we knew Caroline was the charge nurse and we had questions not only would we ask for her to come in, but other nurses would want to run the questions by her as well. It's a testament to her abilities/knowledge but also to the respect that she has on the unit. Caroline always made a point to stop by and check on us as parents. This was something she never had to do, but in doing so made my wife and I feel valued and cared for. She also had a knack for remembering what was happening in our lives and would check in our world outside the hospital; that had a big impact because so often, being in the hospital with Z for over 4 months, our world was consumed by what was happening there. But the outside world continued on and the fact that she cared enough to know, ask, and remember things about us stood out. The whole purpose of us being in the TCC was to get home. Caroline gracefully answered our questions and helped us wrap our heads around what needed to be done for that to happen. There is no doubt that her guidance helped the discharge process happen. As she was also a part of rounds as a charge nurse, we felt like our voice was heard and we were advocated for in unique and helpful ways. We are so thankful for Caroline and her presence on our daughter’s care team. It's pretty telling when the unit is filled with incredible nurses and yet a few standout. Caroline stood out. She joyful, experienced, patient, and so good at what she does.
Caroline's energy when we first met really stood out to my wife and I. When we transferred from the NICU to the TCC, she was the charge nurse that came to do the handoff. Immediately we were comforted by her excitement and joy. But really we didn't get to know her well until she took care of our daughter for the first time. It happened by mistake because she had asked to have another patient again with a similar name to our daughter. But what a great mistake it was because Caroline was/is an amazing nurse, and we were able to get to know her and that really helped us get more comfortable on the unit and with the care team. Caroline was present for my wife's 24 hour stay as well as the final 4 hours of mine. You can tell that opportunities to teach, instruct, and empower families is something that Caroline is passionate about. She wouldn't simply tell us but invited us to participate in the answers to our questions. She actively demonstrated, explained, and guided us through various aspects of taking care of our daughter. This was so helpful because the chance to go home was heavily weighted on our own education and ability to care for her.
We trusted Caroline so much, and it was clear other nurses on the floor did as well. If we knew Caroline was the charge nurse and we had questions not only would we ask for her to come in, but other nurses would want to run the questions by her as well. It's a testament to her abilities/knowledge but also to the respect that she has on the unit. Caroline always made a point to stop by and check on us as parents. This was something she never had to do, but in doing so made my wife and I feel valued and cared for. She also had a knack for remembering what was happening in our lives and would check in our world outside the hospital; that had a big impact because so often, being in the hospital with Z for over 4 months, our world was consumed by what was happening there. But the outside world continued on and the fact that she cared enough to know, ask, and remember things about us stood out. The whole purpose of us being in the TCC was to get home. Caroline gracefully answered our questions and helped us wrap our heads around what needed to be done for that to happen. There is no doubt that her guidance helped the discharge process happen. As she was also a part of rounds as a charge nurse, we felt like our voice was heard and we were advocated for in unique and helpful ways. We are so thankful for Caroline and her presence on our daughter’s care team. It's pretty telling when the unit is filled with incredible nurses and yet a few standout. Caroline stood out. She joyful, experienced, patient, and so good at what she does.