NURSING SPOTLIGHT

I remember walking onto the Bone Marrow Transplant unit as a new graduate nurse thinking, "Wow, what did I get myself into?" The massive amounts of medications that I had to administer within a 12 hour shift, beeping IV machines, crying children and the overwhelming feeling of how am I going to do this? How am I going to take care of these bone marrow transplant patients and their families?

Once I calmed down and realized that I CAN do this, I came to the realization of how lucky I was to have these children and their families in my life. Nursing is a profession that is actually a privilege to become a part of. I have met some of the most amazing children and some of the most amazing families that I ever could have imagined.

I am a nurse that nurses with my heart and soul. I always refer to the children as my kids. I truly feel that they are. They are so special and wise beyond their years. They taught me to laugh and smile; they showed me that I should not take my life for granted. I am passionate about these children and am passionate about being a part of the team that is working on curing them.

To this day, I keep in touch with families who have lost their children as well as families whose children were cured. Each patient and family will forever hold a special place in my heart. They have been a huge part of molding me to what I am today. So now, when I look back on that overwhelming feeling of, "How am I going to do this?" I think to myself I did it. I did it and will continue to do it with all my heart and all my soul.

Tracey Schonfeld, RN