Reading Skills for Healthcare Workers

Paula works as a certified nursing assistant at Peterson Hospital. One of her patients last week was Holly. Holly was an eleven-year-old patient in the pediatric unit of the hospital where all the patients are eighteen years old and younger. She had an allergic reaction to strawberries. She had trouble breathing, and her skin became covered in hives. Her parents treated her right away with an EpiPen, but they wanted a doctor to check on Holly.

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When Holly arrived at the hospital, she experienced anxiety because of the bright lights and activity around her. Many children are not used to being sick, so hospitals can be a frightening place to be.

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While Holly and her parents were waiting for her test results, Holly met another pediatric patient named Mike. Mike was twelve years old. He couldn’t eat or drink anything after 6:00 p.m. because he was going to have an operation the next morning. Holly asked Mike how long he had been in the hospital. Mike said, “I’ve been here for three days. The nurses come in and take my vital signs every few hours. You’re lucky you get to go home soon, Holly.” Mike didn’t tell Holly how much he didn’t like it when the nurses had to help him get dressed and go to the bathroom.

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Holly could imagine that Mike got bored in his hospital room. He wanted to be at home or in school. She asked her mother, “Can we come and visit Mike after his operation?”

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“That’s a nice idea, Holly. Sure we can,” Holly’s mother said.

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Paula brought Holly and her parents the test results. Holly’s doctor talked with them and said that she could go home. Holly promised she would come and visit Mike in two days. Paula was pleased that Holly would visit Mike. Paula knew that being in the hospital could be very stressful for the children there. She was glad that Mike had made a new friend.