The Lasting Impact of Family-Centered Nursing Care

When 8-year-old Jenna arrived at Children’s Mercy with fever, neck swelling and acute kidney dysfunction, her family faced six days of uncertainty while the care team worked to determine the cause of her symptoms. Ultimately, treatment led to a full recovery, but the experience reinforced how meaningful compassionate, family-centered care can be during a complex hospitalization. 

During her stay on the Liver and Renal Unit, Jenna formed a connection with Liv Golden, BSN, RN, who was serving as a nurse technician at the time and is now a registered nurse on the same unit. Through clear communication, emotional support and thoughtful efforts to help normalize the hospital experience, Liv helped Jenna and her family navigate an understandably stressful period. 

Jenna’s family described how Liv took time to explain procedures in age-appropriate ways, engage Jenna in conversations about shared interests and support not only the patient, but also her parents. Small acts of compassion, from helping make a hospitalization feel less intimidating to checking on caregivers’ well-being, left a lasting impression. 

Nearly a year after Jenna’s hospitalization and recovery, her family surprised Liv during her nursing pinning ceremony at Pittsburg State University to thank her for the care she provided. The moment highlighted the enduring relationships that can develop when clinical excellence is paired with empathy and family-centered support. 

At Children’s Mercy, multidisciplinary teams recognize that outcomes extend beyond diagnosis and treatment alone. Meaningful communication, caregiver support and compassionate nursing care are critical components of the patient and family experience, helping children and families feel seen, supported and empowered throughout their care journey.