By Amanda Paragas, registered nurse, CHOC cardiovascular intensive care unit
The CHOC RN Residency Program is a 17-week program that is specifically customized to meet the requirements of the new nursing graduate to be successfully transitioned to becoming a professional pediatric nurse. Here, a recent RN Residency Program graduate pens a thank you letter to a patient she had the privilege of caring for during the RN Residency Program — one who impacted her as a nurse.
To you, my sweet girl, I owe many thanks.
Thank you for showing me humility and grace.
Thank you for showing me what compassion and love looks like from your perspective. Thank you for letting me watch you grow and develop your wonderful personality.
Thank you for showing me, and everyone else, that you are capable of so much more than anyone ever gave you credit for.
Thank you for showing me how strong and resilient such a young patient can be, without even knowing it.
Thank you for always being mighty and always fighting for what you wanted.
Thank you for never giving up despite being faced with unthinkable circumstances.
Thank you for reminding me that life should not be taken for granted and that all of our time is limited here on Earth.
Thank you for challenging me to be a better nurse and to always strive for excellence when caring for others.
And most importantly, thank you for letting me defend your childhood.
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Learn more about CHOC’s Heart Institute
CHOC Hospital was named one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024-25 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings and ranked in the cardiology and heart surgery specialties.
