I have been in the career of nursing for a long time and a Children's employee for 18 years. This past year my son was required to be hospitalized for 5 days. What I saw and experienced was some of the most caring and best care around by all disciplines. It was the care I knew that we always provided but now had experienced it personally. One person in particular stood out and was a role model for the nursing profession, Amanda Carter.
Amanda took care of us for multiple days. Not only did she connect with me but made a huge effort to connect with my son. She treated me as a parent and not an employee and for that I am eternally grateful. She made me at ease and was so happy; it was evident she loved her job. I was extremely tired, but I remember each morning her sitting down to explain the plan of care for the day and asking me specifically if I had questions. One of my son's struggles was eating and so she went out of her way to find these specific popsicles and teddy grahams he would eat. She came in when she wasn't busy caring for other patients and would check in on us. She would find child life or get an update from a doctor to ensure all aspects of my son's care were being addressed.
My son at one point started eating and the first thing he wanted to do was to tell Amanda. She played a huge part in his turning the corner! He painted a picture of her down in the Zone and they took a picture together. This picture remains on our refrigerator. My son will still say those are some amazing doctors and nurses who healed me. He then says Miss Amanda was a GREAT nurse!