Honoring Our Pediatric Nurses: The Heartbeat of Gilchrist During Pediatric Nurses Care Week
At Gilchrist, we recognize the profound challenges that come with caring for a child facing a life-limiting illness. Though many think of hospice as a service only for adults, this isn’t the case. The journey for these children often involves repeated hospitalizations and a variety of treatments for illnesses, injuries, birth defects, or genetic disorders—each taking a significant toll on the whole family. During Pediatric Nurses Care Week, we want to spotlight our pediatric nurses at Gilchrist Kids. Their dedication and compassion help ease these burdens, ensuring every child and family receives the crucial support they need during their most difficult times.
What is Pediatric Palliative and Hospice Care?
Pediatric palliative and hospice care is a comprehensive approach that focuses on enhancing the child’s quality of life, preventing and minimizing suffering, optimizing function, and providing opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. This care can be provided concurrently with life-prolonging care, curative care, or as the main focus of care. Pediatric care at Gilchrist Kids includes the perinatal period, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood.
A Holistic Approach to Care
Gilchrist Kids adopts an interdisciplinary approach, providing not just medical but also emotional and spiritual support tailored to each family’s unique needs. Our pediatric nurses are pivotal in orchestrating this comprehensive care, working tirelessly with physicians, chaplains, social workers, volunteers, and child life specialists. They ensure that every child’s comfort is prioritized, helping to make the unimaginable a little easier to bear.
Pediatric Hospice Care: Enhancing Quality of Life
Our pediatric hospice program aims to help children with life-limiting illnesses live every moment to the fullest. This involves managing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual distress to enhance their quality of life. Our nurses are integral to providing this relief and assist in determining the continuation of curative treatments and therapies in collaboration with families and physicians.
Perinatal Support: Guiding Families Through Uncertainty
Our perinatal support extends compassionate care to parents-to-be who face the heartbreaking news of an incurable illness in their unborn child. The Gilchrist perinatal team, including skilled pediatric nurses, helps these families navigate their emotional, social, and spiritual challenges. They provide guidance on birth plans, coordinate care, and offer the necessary support to celebrate the baby’s life for however long it may be.
A Compassionate Team Making a Difference
The dedication of our pediatric nurses goes beyond routine care. They are part of a compassionate team that addresses children and their siblings’ social and emotional needs through innovative approaches like play and imagination. Their efforts ensure that every child’s individual needs are met while also supporting the family as a whole.
As we celebrate Pediatric Nurses Care Week, we extend our deepest gratitude to our pediatric nurses at Gilchrist Kids. Their commitment and expert care are what make it possible for us to fulfill our mission every day—providing the highest standard of end-of-life care for our youngest patients and their families. Thank you for making a profound difference in the lives of so many.
To learn more about Gilchrist Kids and our programs, visit: https://gilchristcares.org/services/hospice-care/do-i-need-hospice/gilchrist-kids/