CHOC’s commitment to nurture, advance and protect the health and well-being of children is brought to life by our world-class nursing staff. Everyday, CHOC nurses provide expert care and compassion for patients and families.
With their many years of service, they have developed some tricks of the trade. Below, members of the CHOC nursing team share their secrets, or pieces of advice, that they hope will help families in Orange County and beyond.
Communicate with your nurse
Remember that you have a voice
“We want parents and caregivers to know that they have a voice and can use it to let us know what they need. What our parents and caregivers say is important. It matters to us.”
Allison Langell, registered nurse, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)
Tell your care team what you need
“We also encourage our families to constantly communicate with us. We have a ton of resources that we can connect families to like social workers, child life or spiritual care.
At CHOC, we are a multi-disciplinary team who are here to help. If our families can communicate with us what they are feeling or needing, we can get them connected with the right help.”
Lacey Evans, registered nurse, PICU
Ask questions
“No questions are dumb. We do not want to send families home with unanswered questions.”
Lindsay Mahajerin, registered nurse, endocrine clinic at CHOC
“Bring a list of questions with you so you don’t forget to ask them.”
Jinee Oh, registered nurse, pulmonary clinic at CHOC
Bring photos or videos of your child’s symptoms to your appointment
“If you have a concern about your child, try to take photos or video (with audio) of it before your appointment. That can help us figure out exactly what’s going on with your child.”
Danielle Poulin, pediatric nurse practioner, pulmonary clinic at CHOC
Bring list of medications and personal and distraction items from home
Personal items can make hospital stays more comfortable
“Bringing personal items from home can help kids who are staying overnight in the hospital. If a parent or caregiver can’t stay with them, a scent from home on a blanket or pillow can help a child feel comfortable.
We also encourage our families to decorate their hospital rooms with drawings and pictures.
Lacey Evans, registered nurse, PICU
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Keeping kids busy can help parents focus during an appointment
“Bringing water, snacks and toys can help keep kids busy during their outpatient appointments.”
Payton Santivarez, RSV coordinator, pulmonary clinic at CHOC
Stay warm and comfortable with a sweatshirt or blanket
“It can be cold in the doctor’s office or hospital. It’s helpful for parents to bring a coat for themselves and a blanket or sweatshirt for their kids.”
Lindsay Mahajerin, registered nurse, endocrine clinic at CHOC
Don’t forget a list of your child’s medications
“Make sure to know the medications your child is taking. It can be helpful to write them down or take photos of them before your appointment.”
Marvella Santana, licensed vocational nurse, pulmonary clinic at CHOC
Prepare your child for their appointment, procedure or surgery
Make a checklist for your child
“At the clinic, we have a checklist with all the teams or doctors that a patient will see during their visit. That way, they know what to expect.”
Anmy Nguyen, registered nurse, pulmonary clinic at CHOC
Explain your child’s procedure or surgery to them ahead of time
“Don’t blindside your kids if they are having a procedure. Sometimes we will have kids that aren’t expecting an IV, which can be scary for them.
It may be helpful to explain to them what is going to happen in a way they can understand. For older kids, parents can show them a video of their procedure on YouTube.”
Lindsay Mahajerin, registered nurse, endocrine clinic at CHOC
Stay positive
“It’s helpful for parents to keep appointments positive for their kids. Try not to say things like, ‘If you don’t behave, then you’re going to get a shot.’ That can make the experience scary and more difficult for your kids.”
Danielle Poulin, pediatric nurse practioner, pulmonary clinic at CHOC
Play doctor at home
“If your child has a gastroenterology (GI) visit, you can pretend to examine their tummy. If they have a pulmonary appointment, you can listen to their lungs with a play telescope. You can also practice taking your child’s vital signs at home.”
Ashley Paldowic, assistant nurse manager, GI clinic at CHOC
Be patient and on time
Arrive early
“Arriving early will get you and your care team plenty of time to talk about your concerns and answer your questions.”
Danielle Poulin, pediatric nurse practioner, pulmonary clinic at CHOC
Expect a wait time
“Expect a wait time. Our team will be trying our hardest to see your child as soon as possible.”
Jinee Oh, resgistered nurse, pulmonary clinic at CHOC
Lean on your nurses
“We are here not only to care for the patient, but the entire family”
Lacey Evans, registered nurse, PICU
“We are all on the same team when caring for your child.”
Allison Langell, registered nurse, PICU
“As nurses, we are the bridge from the parents to the doctors.”
Anmy Nguyen, registered nurse, pulmonary clinic at CHOC
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