Laura Johnston, RN, recognized that we frequently have families that stay for hours in our waiting room while their sick loved ones are in the ICU. Many times these families have children in tow. During one of our team meetings, Laura said that she wanted to make a "kid-friendly" area in our waiting room. She took it upon herself to buy books, coloring books, crayons, chairs, and removable decals to decorate a corner in our waiting room. The children can read or make a get-well card for their loved one.
What a wonderful way to create a more inviting area for children that may be a little scared or confused. This act of thoughtfulness is the very heart of what nursing is and should be.