A Day in the Life: Staff Nurse in the Critical Care Float Pool of a Children’s Hospital
In the heart of a bustling children’s hospital, where the walls resonate with the sounds of hope, laughter, and sometimes tears, lies the intensive care unit (ICU)—a realm where the stakes are extraordinarily high, and each moment is imbued with profound significance. Being a staff nurse in this challenging environment is not for the faint of heart. It demands a unique blend of unwavering resilience, exceptional skill, and an abundance of compassion.
Monica Patino, BSN, BA, RN, CCRN, knows firsthand from working as a staff nurse at the Critical Care Float Pool (CCF)—Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)/Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
We asked Patino about her work as a staff nurse and her journey to becoming a nurse:
- Immigrating from Columbia.
- Learning to speak English.
- Working in pediatrics.
- Giving back to her community.
What follows is our interview, edited for length and clarity.
How did you become interested in serving as a registered nurse in the Critical Care Float Pool? What drew you to it? How long have you been doing it?
My interest started when I was quite young. I grew up in Medellin, Colombia, and, from an early age at school, I got the chance to be the “nurse’s assistant” because of my grades. I wore a white apron with a red cross over my uniform and a little nurse’s hat. I felt pride and a sense of responsibility that stuck with me. Fast forward, I immigrated to the United States, learned English, began my education, and embarked on a journey to become a nurse. Pediatric care was something I was always drawn to, and I love how resilient children can be. Children are amazing to work with, eager to learn, and exhibit strength in the face of issues they are (unfortunately) dealing with. Following certification, I have been serving as a critical care nurse for nine years, where I am fortunate enough to impact children in the CVICU and PICU positively.
Explain what you do in your role.
As nurses reading this know (and a point of interest for budding nurses), you wear many hats and are responsible for critical touchpoints along the patient care continuum. In my current role, I work with a few patients at a time, continually monitoring and assessing their situation. I’m also responsible for communicating between the interdisciplinary healthcare team and the patient’s families. I started as an interpreter and spent a lot of time as a liaison. At Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, we care for some of the highest acuity patients in the nation.
Furthermore, healthcare is complex. Now, imagine you’re not a native English speaker or come from a different background where views and perceptions on health and wellness differ. That can be a scary and uncomfortable situation as you’re dealing with a sick child. That’s where I came in – and ultimately found my calling. My job is to help educate, inform, and comfort patients and families during incredibly challenging times. This role required balancing communication with the healthcare team while ensuring parents felt assured and could focus on their health. Taking the time to explain challenging healthcare terms, walk them through the healthcare process, and aid with understanding among families with varying education levels.
What types of patients does Stanford Medicine Children’s Health serve? What do you provide for them?
We serve pediatric and adolescent patients, many of which are in critical care or high acuity. This includes CVICU and PICU, patients with congenital heart defects, respiratory illnesses, traumas, cancers, and more. This means that, at any given time, our sickest of children can be on full-time monitoring, hooked up to ventilators and infusion machines, and under intensive care. We provide both treatment for these individuals and holistic care for the patients and families. My upbringing in a Hispanic family and community taught me the importance of caring for an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional needs and extending that to their support team, whether a sibling, a parent, or a caretaker.
Please detail your educational journey for this role.
After immigrating to the United States, I went to school and earned a Bachelors in Spanish and Business Administration. This led me to my first job as a medical interpreter, which solidified my desire to become a nurse. I was able to shadow nurses, work at clinics, take on different roles within the hospital, and get a firsthand account of what nurses do across departments from admission through to discharge. As a result, I decided to return to school and get a second degree, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and my CCRN or certification to work in pediatric critical care.
What do you like most about working in your role?
I really, really enjoy my job, the overall challenge, the fast-paced nature of work, and the opportunity to serve my community in its most vulnerable moments. It’s a unique opportunity to bring together the science and the heart. It is such a rewarding feeling when an anxious parent and scared family feel confident enough to place their trust in you. And the language, education, and cultural barriers that present with the families I deal with exacerbate the importance of establishing trust. When a parent can get away from the bedside, go for a walk, get a bite to eat, and prioritize their health while in the hospital, that is rewarding. I know a parent trusts me enough to care for their child. Beyond that, I was able to embark on mission trips and volunteer time in Hispanic communities, including travels abroad to South America. There are lots of feel-good moments that make my career worthwhile.
Do you have a favorite story about your job you’d like to share?
I’ve been a nurse for nearly a decade, so my time has been filled with many great moments. One of my most memorable encounters was when I interpreted a family in the hospital for a young child’s appointment. This parent – also from Colombia – also brought her teenage son with her. That brave family got to see our work firsthand. The teenage boy could see what we did, ask questions, and understand the critical role of interpreters in breaking down language barriers in healthcare. Well, that teenage boy – who had started to become fluent in English – loved it and became a medical interpreter himself. It is fantastic to be able to impact communities in many ways.
What are your biggest challenges?
It is important that, as nurses, we maintain balance. When you clock in, bring your whole self and everything you can do to help a patient or family. Go to work and give it all. However, ensure you work within an organization that prioritizes balance and supports nurses to find a healthy separation. It isn’t easy, but I intentionally keep a clear line between work and life. I give families my all, but carrying each day with me would be a burden that would impact my ability to perform to my best. I encourage other nurses in similar roles to find a balance that works for them.
Is there anything else that is important for our readers to know?
Trust is critically important. Translators and interpreters are essential. Patients and families being able to see themselves in their caretakers is important. Being able to relate, feel seen, and be heard is a must for holistic care. For anyone who has thought about a similar role – do it. It’s gratifying and an experience you’ll never forget. Balancing the head and the heart in the heat of critical care situations is both a skill and an art. I am thankful that I can impact the lives of those in the Hispanic and Latino communities and bring warmth to the bedside.
Renee is the editor and content strategist for Daily Nurse. When enjoying life unplugged from the digital world, you’ll find Renee on a trail taking wildlife photos or birdwatching.
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