Is anyone else a pediatric nurse?

Question

well i am a pediatric nurse at a childrens hospital and i am pregnant with my first and it is so frustrating...i cant run around with the kids as much... they dont talk to me as much because i can't relate to them as much now...what used to get patients to open up was me being with them when they are scared... i work in oncology which is with cancer kids and i can't be wit them in some of the stuff because it is harmful to my baby....i would do anything for my baby and i knew life would change but now i have the kids i have devoted my life's work to and they are my passion telling me i dont care anymore because i wont go back with them...has anyone else gone through that and have suggestions on how to talk to the kids to get them to understand...i dont look pregnant yet so they dont see the proof

Answer 1

Hi there!

I am a peds nurse, too but I work in out patient so I can't relate directly. I did have a hard time with being able to keep up as I used to . In a way, I felt like I wasn't " giving it my all" because I couldn't help as quickly as I used to. My little patients were used to me running with them and carrying them and when that all changed, they didn't understand. Working with children is my calling and it was very hard on me when that all changed, even for such a blessing as having a baby.

Try to find an age appropriate way to explain that you love them and want to be with them but you have to take care of your little baby ,too. Try to make an extra effort to be with them before treatments and after and give them a little extra time.You and I both know that kids don't always understand the "why's" of things and feel like things are their fault.  We, as kid lovers or as nurses, can't always fix that. Do your best and know that , should you go back to work, you'll be back 100%.  

On another note, you'll be a better pediatric nurse once you're a mom although your job in onocology may be a little harder on you.  I just had my first baby, a little girl, in March!

What an awesome job you have! Congrats!

Missy