Meet Nurse Lauren from Wolfson Children’s Hospital
Meet Lauren Hamel! She is an Assistant Nurse Manager over the Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
As our team continues to celebrate local nurses in honor of #NationalNursesWeek, we wanted to highlight Lauren. Her dedication to helping to save and improve the lives of our local kids is a huge inspiration. Thank you Lauren for all you do! Continue reading to learn more about Lauren.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
When I was young, I had an uncle who spent a lot of time in the hospital battling Leukemia. It was during this time that I really learned how important a great nurse is when you or someone you love is in the hospital. I will never forget how they made me and my family feel. They provided us with safety, comfort and companionship during one of the hardest times in our lives. I admired them, trusted them and wanted to do the same for others.
What is your favorite thing about working with kids?
I have two favorite things about working with kids. I love the challenge of having to work with different developmental stages and adapting my practice to suit their needs, whether my patient is a newborn needing to be held or a school age child who wants me to listen to their stories. My work changes day-to-day. Children of all ages are so resilient, and it is truly amazing to watch a child recover. I love seeing them feeling better and playing on the unit. It is not uncommon to see babies in swings, toddlers being pulled around in wagons and children kicking soccer balls down the hall on a good day.
What is your greatest career achievement?
I think my greatest achievement is really finding my place in nursing. This career has endless possibilities and I’ve truly found my home in Wolfson’s Cardiac ICU. I am now an Assistant Nurse Manager and love my job! I love the relationships I’ve built with patients, families and staff here. Our unit is a home to many and it is great to be a part of that.
How can others help sick and injured kids in the hospital?
Volunteer! Volunteers at Wolfson provide our patients with much needed distraction, comfort and joy during difficult times. It is so helpful to have someone come in and play with them for a bit. From Art with a Heart to just delivering toys, there are so many different activities that volunteers take part in and I guarantee any interaction with a volunteer is the highlight of these kids days!