A Day in My Life as a Nursing Student in the Pediatric Ward

Febuary 10, 2025 | By Rossein Zaynah A. Paglala 

Being a nursing student is challenging yet fulfilling. Working in the pediatric ward comes with its own set of struggles children can be difficult to deal with, and caring for them requires a big heart, patience, and excellent communication skills. However, the little victories, like seeing a child smile after a painful procedure or earning a shy "thank you," make all the hard work worth it.

Today, I’m taking you through a typical day in my life as a student nurse in the pediatric ward the early mornings, the demanding tasks, and the moments that remind me why I chose this path.

4:30 AM – Waking Up & Preparing for Duty

My alarm rings at 4:30 AM, but being not a morning person, I hit snooze—just for 10 more minutes. Waking up early is a battle every nursing student faces, but duty calls!

Once I finally get out of bed, I rush to take a quick shower, do my skincare routine, apply light makeup, and use my hair blower before putting my hair up in a sleek bun. I then put on my white uniform, nameplate, and caduceus pin—a small detail, but it makes me feel more like a real nurse.

I usually cook my own breakfast, but today, laziness won, so I decided to grab a drive-thru meal from Jollibee on my way to the hospital. By 5:50 AM, I was already at the hospital, preparing myself for the day ahead.

6:30 AM – Pre-Duty Briefing

Once all my groupmates arrived, we gathered for a briefing. Our clinical instructor gave us an overview of our assignments for the day, reminded us of important protocols, and emphasized proper bedside manners, especially in pediatrics, where patients are often scared or irritable.

7:00 AM – Endorsement & Patient Assignment

At 7:00 AM, the night shift nurses endorsed their patients to us. They provided details on diagnoses, medications, diets, vital signs, IV types, and any special concerns we needed to watch out for.

Today, I was assigned to a 10-year-old girl diagnosed with pericardial effusion. She had both a Jackson-Pratt drain and a pigtail drain, which required frequent monitoring and proper wound care. I felt a bit nervous since I had never handled a patient with this condition before, but I was determined to do my best.

8:00 AM – First Patient Rounds & Assessment

I walked into my patient’s room and immediately noticed that she looked irritable and withdrawn. She didn’t want to talk or make eye contact, which is common in children who feel anxious or uncomfortable in a hospital setting. Instead of pushing her to respond, I focused on gaining her trust through simple, reassuring words.

After a few minutes, I gently took her vital signs. Most were within the normal range, except for her oxygen saturation (SpO2), which was at 89%—below the ideal level. I noticed she had an oxygen cannula, but it had slipped off. I politely instructed her to wear it again, and after a few moments, I rechecked her SpO2, which had improved to 95%.

I also monitored her intake and output (I&O). Tracking I&O is essential for patients with drains, as it helps assess their fluid balance and detect any signs of complications.

10:00 AM – Assisted a Medical Student

Later in the morning, a medical student arrived to change my patient’s drain dressings. Since it was my first time observing this procedure up close, I eagerly assisted, ensuring that everything was sterile and that my patient was as comfortable as possible.

Seeing the wound sites up close was a bit overwhelming at first, but I reminded myself that proper wound care is essential in preventing infection. This experience reinforced the importance of gentle handling and meticulous hygiene when dealing with surgical drains.

11:30 AM – Lunch Break

After a hectic morning, I finally had time for lunch. My groupmates and I decided to eat at Chowking, where we shared stories about our patients and laughed over some of the challenges we faced that morning. It’s moments like these that make nursing school less stressful having a solid support system is crucial in surviving clinical rotations.

1:00 PM – Checking on My Patient

After lunch, I went back to check on my patient. I asked her how she was feeling, if she was experiencing any pain or discomfort, and if she had any requests. At this point, she was a little more responsive, which made me feel like I had made progress in building rapport.

2:00 PM – Vital Signs Monitoring

I took my patient’s vital signs again and recorded any changes. Since she was on oxygen support, I paid close attention to her respiratory rate and oxygen saturation to ensure she was stable.

2:30 PM – Draining the Jackson-Pratt & Pigtail Drains

One of the most delicate tasks of the day was draining my patient’s Jackson-Pratt and pigtail drains. This required strict aseptic technique to prevent infection.

After carefully emptying and measuring the fluid output, I properly disposed of the drainage and ensured that the drain tubes were securely in place. I then documented the amount, color, and consistency of the drainage in the patient’s chart.

2:40 PM – Charting & Documentation

Nurses say, “If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen.” So, I made sure to record everything: Vital signs, Intake and output, Drainage amount and description, Patient's condition and response to interventions

For me, charting is scary. It may seem tedious, but it is one of the most critical parts of patient care. Because accurate documentation ensures continuity of care and helps the next shift understand the patient’s progress.

3:00 PM – End of Duty & Heading Home

After endorsing my patient to the next shift, I finally clocked out. The day had been long and exhausting, but also incredibly fulfilling.

Even though I was physically tired, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment. Every day in the hospital teaches me something new, and I know I’m one step closer to of my goal to become  becoming a nurse.