For Megan, it was unlike any other day. She walked into the PICU prepared to make a difference in a child's life. Needless to say, she did that for this child and her parents. Megan had a patient who had come to the PICU post-op. Every day her condition worsened, and this day was no different. Her ICPs were very elevated. Megan jumped right in and started doing everything she could to make them go down. She never left the patient's bedside.
Around noon, they decided to get a STAT CT to see if anything had changed. The results showed that the patient had suffered a large stroke on one side of her brain. The ICU physician and neurosurgeon informed the parents immediately and began discussing a DNR. When they returned to the room, Megan still stayed by their side. She prayed over the patient when the parents asked her to. She gave them the privacy they needed to grieve but remained present.
By late afternoon, the parents decided they wanted to withdraw support that day. Megan spoke to Child Life, who was unable to go into the room since the patient was on enhanced precautions. Child Life instructed her on how to create molds and prints. When the family was ready, she made the molds and prints. The parents had decided on a specific time to withdraw, but when that time came, they were not ready. By this point, shift change was approaching. Megan never made the family feel pressured or rushed. She continued to let them take all the time they needed to say goodbye. She told the charge nurse that she would stay and care for the patient into the night shift. She wanted to be there for the patient and her parents when the time came.
When they were ready, Megan notified the physician and they went into the room. The patient's dad got into the bed with the patient as they withdrew support. Megan remained at the bedside the entire time comforting and consoling the parents.
Afterward, Megan allowed them time alone in the room. They requested to have a lock of her hair but did not want to see her after it was done. Megan made sure this was done last so that the parents could see her as long as they wanted. She helped them gather their belongings and hugged them goodbye when they were ready to go.
For these parents, this is the last memory they will have of their child. Megan made this experience the best it could be. Throughout the day, she listened to the parents, honored their requests, and comforted them when they needed it most. Not only did she take such great care of them, but she also wore many different hats to ensure they did not go without just because the patient was on enhanced precautions. They trusted Megan and wanted her to be there during one of the most painful things they will ever experience. She is an amazing nurse who always goes above and beyond for her patients and families, and this is just one of the many examples of how. We are so lucky to have her in the PICU!