I took my 3-year-old son into the emergency department with the fear that he had pneumonia. Patrick was assigned as his RN and was so prompt and professional as soon as we arrived to the room. He was very attentive to my son the whole time. We were in the ED the previous month and my son was very fearful and resistant at that time. It is the worst feeling in the world when your child is sick and scared. Patrick quickly gained the trust of my son and connected with him allowing the experience to be a whole lot smoother. As a parent going into the emergency room I was filled with anxiety, and to see my son feeling calm was a huge relief.
When they wanted to get a more accurate temperature reading on my son, I was ready to jump right in and try to help him obtain his temperature. Patrick, on the other hand, suggested that we let my son explore the thermometer first himself and see if he would be able to place it in his mouth on his own. Patrick sat here patiently as my son played with the thermometer and encouraged him to try taking my temperature, and then his own. My son didn't quite get the hang of it, but we were able to try without making it scary.
As we were waiting on CXR results for my son, I asked Patrick if he would mind sitting with my son so I could run upstairs and get my laptop and some work to take home. He, of course, did not mind. Now, my son is the biggest momma's boy you have ever seen and doesn't even like me to leave him with his father sometimes when he's not feeling well. He did not put up a fight at all for me to leave him with Patrick for 5 minutes, which shows how much he trusted him!
When I returned, Patrick asked me where I worked and I told him that I was the clinical lead on the rehab unit. I was very impressed that Patrick still took the time to explain things to me in detail even when he found out I was an RN. I have found that some medical professionals look for my input or assume I know everything since I'm an RN, but when your child is sick and you're sleep-deprived, you think more like a normal, worried mom and less like a nurse.
I am so thankful for Patrick's patience and caring behaviors he exhibited towards my son this day. I left the ED that morning with the feeling of relief that my son was going to be just fine and that the experience in the Emergency Department did not scare him.