Special Calling for Pediatric Nurses at Progress West

Families in St. Charles County are fortunate to have expert pediatric care from St. Louis Children's Hospital close to home at Progress West HealthCare Center. Since Progress West's opening in 2007, SLCH has provided 24/7 pediatric hospitalist care by WU pediatricians in the Progress West Emergency Department and Med/Surg unit, and neonatologists on an on-call basis in the Birthing Center.

What these families may not realize is the expert care they're receiving from the Progress West pediatric nurses. Most nurses caring for kids in community hospitals are adult nurses who willingly see children as part of their duties. At Progress West, the pediatric nurses in the Emergency Department, surgical services and patient care unit have specialized pediatric training. On average, the pediatric nurses at Progress West have 10 years' experience specifically in pediatrics. The nurses have all come from either St. Louis Children's Hospital or Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.

What makes these nurses want to specialize in pediatrics? Many enjoy working with children because of their spontaneity, resilience and simplicity. They enjoy children's innocence and excitement over popsicles and stickers.

"I decided to become a pediatric nurse when a family member asked me to sit with a six-year old boy whose entire family had been killed in a car accident," says Paula Malone, RN. "While I sat with this boy at the hospital, I watched as the nurses cared for him and decided that was what I wanted to do with my life."

In addition to helping children feel better, many of the pediatric nurses are adept at making parents feel less afraid. They calm parents by reassuring them, involving them in decisions about their little one's care and being empathetic to their particular situation.

A recent patient wrote: "We followed Dr. Wild's suggestion to come to your hospital due to the nurturance you provide for children. He was right. You catered to (my son's) needs as a one-year-old as well as my needs as a concerned mother."

Currently, there are ten pediatric nurses working at Progress West HealthCare Center.