get out the tissues

As I've said before, the NICU census has been historically low this fall. Now that I am prn, I am only guaranteed one eight hour shift in my unit every two weeks. I have been floating to many other units when they need help to get some time in. My paychecks aren't great, but at the same time, it's not like I want to wish for sick babies to be born! Friday night the only unit that needed help was Hem/Onc (pediatric cancer/blood disorders). I wasn't very comfortable going up there, but they told me I didn't have to take an assignment, I could just be an extra set of hands. The sixteen bed unit was full. It was a humbling experience. Some of those kids hadn't seemed to have gotten the memo that they were sick. I mistook boys for girls and girls for boys with their bald/wispy-haired heads. It made me so sad to think that most of those kids won't be at home on Christmas morning, and so thankful for my two healthy kids. I wanted to write about it that night but couldn't really find the words. This morning my friend Jessica told me to read this story on a blog she follows. Please read. I hope angels watch over every child that has to spend this Christmas in my or any other childrens' hospital.