Today was one of the most emotional and eye-opening days so far. We were able to spend most of our day at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, after a lecture at Birmingham city university (they work hand in hand like UMPC and the University of Pittsburgh). It was a day that will stick with me for a long time because healthcare is about providing and caring for people during the hardest moments of their lives.
The first lecture we had was focused on female genital mutilation (FGM), which can also be referred to as female genital cutting (FGC). Going into the lecture, I did not know anything about the topic, so it was good to hear about the physical and emotional impacts of it. I learned that around 4 million girls worldwide are at risk each year, and that the practice has no health benefits. The procedure often happens during childhood, but there are lifelong complications and emotional trauma throughout. The lecture covered the different types of FGM and the health complications that come after, like infections, severe pain, childbirth complications, PTSD, formation of scar tissue, and emotional trauma.
What impacted me the most about this lecture was realizing how many of these girls are young when it happens to them. It was hard to hear that the procedures being done were to children who might not fully understand what was happening or why. We talked about the role nurses and other healthcare providers play in seeing the different warning signs, advocating for our patients, and even providing information. Even though the topic was on the heavier side, it was important to learn about because nurses can protect patients and be their support system through hard times.
For lunch, we made a quick stop at a coffee shop down the road from the university called Boston Tea Party. It was an adorable atmosphere, and it was nice to eat at a different place than our normal one. I got a delicious matcha and avocado toast to refuel me and prepare for the rest of our day.
After the lecture, we went to the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital and learned about the care that they provide. At this part of the day, my emotions were high because we learned about the Magnolia House and the Rainbow Room, which are spaces created for families going through the loss of a child or baby. Hearing about the bereavement care they offered and the way that the nurses and staff support families during these moments showed how much effort the hospital puts into making it as comfortable as possible. The rooms were intentionally designed by families and were funded by local charities. And those rooms/houses were something I would love to focus on implementing when we get back to the States. We were also able to stop by the chapel and talk to the reverend. One quote that stuck out to me was, “Children remember you when they pass because you cared for them.” Hearing that immediately made me emotional because it showed how meaningful compassion and care are in healthcare. The staff talked a lot about how they meet families where they are at emotionally instead of treating grief clinically. They talked about being intentional with language to create a peaceful and comforting space for families to spend time with their child after death.
What impacted me the most were the trees in the chapel that were filled with prayers and notes written to children who had passed away. Thinking about the families that left notes and messages for their children made the care feel so much more personal and emotional. It reminded me that as a nurse, I have to be present for the good and the bad parts of people’s lives. We are there to not only provide medical care, but also comfort families and make people feel cared about through the hard parts.
To end our day, we were able to get a tour and walk through the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and then hear from a panel of nurses. There were all different specialties within the hospital like oncology, burns, cardiac, and kidney and liver transplants. It was cool to see how the healthcare workers work together to care for critically ill children, and that each of the nurses felt passionate about their area of expertise. They have a 1:1 ratio, which means one nurse to one patient, so they are able to make connections with patients and their families during extended stays at the hospital.
Today reminded me how much nursing will challenge me, but that emotions are not a weakness in healthcare and are actually essential. They are what will help me become a more compassionate and understanding nurse. This experience showed me that some of the best healthcare providers are the ones who allow themselves to care while still supporting others through difficult moments. However, our program ended early today, so we have the rest of the night to explore the various dinner options and stroll around the city.