At times, being a nurse can be mentally exhausting and emotionally tough. Some days are hard and trying and you leave feeling exhausted as if your heart has the flu. This was the case for a particularly hard day on Infant/Toddler. I was caring for a baby who has been on the 8th floor for 14+ months (his whole life) with no real certainty as to what his future holds, as well as a baby admitted with signs of non-accidental trauma (NAT). I had a few meetings with the parents of my long term baby and had a few interactions with DCS, MPD, and MSW for my NAT baby. I was having a hard time grasping why things happen the way they do and I began to crack. My heart was breaking into a million pieces. I found myself graciously being handed a box of tissues as Pam, our PCC, let me sit in her office while tears rolled down my face. You see, being a nurse has its good days and its hard days. Some of the things we see and encounter can be tough and it can make you question humanity in this world. This particularly difficult day showed me that what matters the most in days like these are the people that surround you and meet you in the storm. Pam Silva did exactly that. As I began to process the situation with Pam, she so patiently listened. She offered many words of encouragement and wisdom, reminding me of simple truths. She created a safe space for me to be upset and angry. She created a space for me to process the raw, hard emotions that life brings. She created a space that allowed me to regroup and breathe. She helped me stand back up to keep going. I'm thankful for the time that I was able to spend in Pam's office and the reminder that it really does take the whole army to keep LeBonheur going.
Whether you are on the front lines directly caring for patients or in the tent behind the scenes offering encouraging words to the soldiers, every person plays a crucial role. Every person matters and is important in caring for our patients and families. Pam's leadership, compassion, and dedication to meet her team where they are each day are evident and her willingness to go above and beyond shows a true DAISY Nurse.