As a pediatric nurse, I'm keenly aware of the illnesses that afflict children and how prone they are to accidents. As a mother of twin sons, I've often felt blessed, realizing how tough it must be on parents to have a seriously ill or severely injured child. But one November Monday, I found myself in that very role.

A false step in the dark

One of my sons was injured when he entered his darkened high school auditorium to retrieve his saxophone. He fell into the orchestra pit, striking his head on the floor below. I heard someone yell, "Call 911!" as I went inside to check on him. I found him silent and unresponsive. Remaining calm, I noted that his pulse and respirations were normal. Besides a bloody nose and a swollen left hand, he showed no other signs of injury.

Soon, I found myself in the ED of the children's hospital as the parent of an injured child. X-rays and CT scan were all normal. He was responsive to pain and hadn't been intubated, which I knew were good signs. Surprisingly calm, I felt confident he was going to be okay.

After 22 hours in the PICU and an upgrade to the intermediate care unit, he spoke for the first time since the accident, which was music to my ears and confirmed his recovery. He awakened Wednesday afternoon, and returned home Friday, resuming school the following Tuesday with no residual. It was a miracle!

Lessons for other nurses

I learned so much from this experience. As a parent, I realized that life is tenuous, how precious family is, and that accidents can happen to anyone without warning. My priorities changed so quickly.

Also, I learned firsthand the stress facing families with a sick child. I only left the hospital for about an hour. I'd always wondered why moms wouldn't leave just to take a break! With my knowledge of head injury, I knew it could've been worse, but I still had trouble eating and sleeping. What must parents who lack my knowledge—or whose child is not getting better—endure?

My experience was easier because I knew many of my son's caregivers, and my family received tremendous support. What about parents with no one to fill in at work, make important phone calls, or pick up other children? What about parents who are not familiar with the setting and know no one involved in their child's care? Or families that don't speak English?

Care for the families, too

Hospitalization of a child is very stressful for parents and siblings. As nurses, we need to tend not only to the sick child's physical needs, but also to the psychosocial needs of the family. Though I don't generally bring up my experience when I've worked with the parents of ill and injured children, I now can say, truthfully, "I know how you feel."

The author, KAY COWEN, RNC, MSN, is clinical associate professor at UNCG School of Nursing in Greensboro, NC.