A typical day in St. Louis' Cardinal Glennon's intensive care pediatric unit can include what most are only used to seeing on ER: car accident victims, kids with gunshot wounds, children fighting cancer. And while most can only endure observing these patients on hospital dramas, Danielle Smith helps children through this type of intense pain on a day-to-day basis.

“Although there are times when I have to stay strong watching the children in extreme pain, it is such a joy to see some of them walk out of the hospital with a huge smile on their faces,” Smith, an eight semester student at the school, said. “Seeing cheerful kids makes me feel like I had a positive impact on their lives.”

Smith maintains this positive attitude even when treating children she knows might not walk out of Cardinal Glennon.

“Sometimes you can feel like you are doing everything in the world for a child but nothing seems to work,” Smith said. “At those times it is important to let the child know you are there for them and try to help him/her live as normal a life as possible. Many times you can go from being their nurse, to playmate, to their best friend.”

For Smith, working with children also means working with their parents. She works hard at explaining the treatments their kids are going through and what they can expect to see as a result. She says doing this allows parents to focus their energies on giving love and support, a key aspect of recovery.

Now a summer intern, Smith plans to accept a job offer from Cardinal Glennon when she graduates in December. Although the job is incredibly demanding, she feels prepared due to her education.

“Clinicals at the school have greatly prepared me for my career at Cardinal Glennon,” Smith said. “The critical thinking skills I've gained by working with all my instructors at MU have helped immensely while working in the PICU.”

Smith says her work at Cardinal Glennon is slightly more intense only because she is unable to plan a patient's day beforehand; however, she feels confident this adjustment will get easier with time.

In addition to her work with patients, Smith also enjoys her nursing colleagues.

“The minute I walked into [Cardinal Glennon] everyone was so kind,” Smith said. “The employees are always there for you when you're having a stressful day. It's a very loving environment.”

The same was true her first day as a 5th-semester student at the school.

“I remember walking into class not knowing a single person. It wasn't even a couple days later when I started talking with everyone and making new friends,” Smith said. “I can honestly say that I have met amazing people who have become some of my best friends.”

Smith was drawn to the school because of the wide range of scholarships as well as the many options for continuing education.

Since starting her nursing education, Smith has been awarded six scholarships, her most recent being the Helen Hapke Endowment Fund, which she received last semester.

written by Owen Skoler

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