My son had been in the hospital for several days. Numerous doctors and medical students circulated in and out of his room daily throughout his stay, none of them able to offer a diagnosis, only possible explanations for his symptoms and the tests that would follow. All very professional and compassionate, exemplary pediatric caregivers, but none really seeing the anxiety and angst in this 17-year-old "boy's" face. After nearly 9 days in the hospital, we had a diagnosis, a plan, and he was discharged. The extended stay is now somewhat of a memory, yet there is one Pediatric caregiver who is not.
Donna recognized that this 17-year-old, standing at 6 feet tall, 250 pounds with a full beard, was a pediatric patient, and she recognized his emotional needs where others might have overlooked it given he is not your "typical pediatric patient." In Donna's very short shift with him, she provided him the compassion and reassurance he desperately needed. She was firm, "get in the shower" - he had not been up to shower in days. "Let's change that bedding" - trust me, it needed it. "Let's go for a walk" - he did. And at the end of her shift, Donna took the time to come back to his bed, sit down next to him, reach for his hand and look him directly in the eyes and asked him how he was doing. She reassured him he was going to be ok. It was her one-on-one moment with him, although only lasting minutes, that I realized how truly exceptional this nurse was. She took a kid riddled with anxiety and put him at ease. She recognized he needed emotional support and reassurance from someone other than family.
Donna then walked over and placed her hand on my shoulder and asked how I was doing. It can be very easy to forget that teenagers are still children, regardless of their age, and their emotional needs can be easily overlooked. I know my son felt reassured from that moment and I am so grateful for the compassion Donna offered. She truly demonstrated how UMass can be the best place to get care.