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Pediatric Nurse

Interviews

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Pediatric nurses see suffering, death and disease every day. They also help family members bear the brunt of tragedy every day. The stress can be unbearable, but pediatric nurses have their share of memorable moments.

"My most memorable day was the first time I saw a premature baby. The baby was 26 weeks gestation and weighed one and one-half pounds. It was amazing. Everything was perfectly formed. Little toes and fingers with nails. It still amazes me each time I see a premature baby," says Jane Saunderson, a pediatric nurse.

Saunderson deals with stressful situations every shift. The health center where she works receives critical patients from three regions. "Our babies are very ill and require a lot of care. I love the challenge of intensive care nursing. I find caring for children very rewarding. They ask for nothing but love and tender care."

Saunderson also educates families about pediatric health issues. "We're a family-centered hospital, so we spend a lot of time with families. We're also advocates for breast-feeding, so that also takes a lot of time. If you have an interest in science or medicine and being a doctor isn't what you see for yourself, then consider nursing. It's a career that's always growing."

Corey Fritz, a pediatric nurse in Atlanta, remembers his most memorable day: "I was taking care of an 18-year-old Down syndrome patient who had an eight-year-old mentality. The patient had sepsis. She was so appreciative and just wanted to play games all day. She made the job fun!"

Fritz knows stress -- he works in an intensive- care unit. "I find it very rewarding to watch the progress of critically ill children to a healthy state. Kids generally get better, while the prognosis of adults in ICU isn't as good," he says.

"I'm responsible for the total care of my patients. I start out by getting a report of my patients from the nurse taking care of them. I then do a head-to-toe nursing assessment of each of my patients. There are always emergencies and unexpected events that can pop up at any time."

Roger Saunders has comforted many ill children and their families. Saunders is director of nursing for a North Carolina neonatal care unit and a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. As director, he's responsible for a 30-bed intensive care unit and an operational budget of over $4 million.

Although he's only scheduled to work a 40-hour week, his real schedule is closer to 55 hours. "I do whatever it takes to get the job done," says Saunders.

Saunders has some sage advice for future pediatric nurses: "You need the ability to interact with different ages, understand family dynamics and have sharp assessment skills. The easiest part of my job is going to work. I enjoy supporting staff in providing quality care. It's what our patients and families deserve."

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