Lippincott NursingCenter.com is partnering with Lippincott Solutions to bring you an inspired nurse’s story every month. Here is the March 2018 inspired nurse story, A social butterfly.
 
A social butterfly
Sharon Vaughn
Vanderbilt Children's Hospital

This story is about a young man who was born with the most severe type of Spina Bifida known in the medical field. His parents were given the prognosis before he was even born, but still chose to carry the pregnancy to term, knowing the baby may not live very long. Today he is cared for by his mom, and requires total care for all of his activities of daily living. And even though this family has had a lot to deal with in caring for him, their strength and love for him and one another is amazing.

I first encountered this child when I was working in the neurosurgery clinic at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital when he came in for his appointments.  As soon as he was checked in, he would start talking and yelling for me to come and pick him up and carry him around the clinic so he could be a “social butterfly” and flirt with all of the other nurses while looking for his favorite nurse practitioner.

This child, along with his family, made a lasting impression on my heart and has changed my outlook on nursing. They have shown me that anything can be accomplished, no matter what life deals you. I am so proud to be called a nurse, and I hope to continue to make small differences in the lives of my patients, like this one.

To share an inspiring story of your own about being a nurse, or how you were inspired by another, and enter to win prizes, visit http://lippincottsolutions.lww.com/landing/inspired-nurses.html.  Be sure to check our blog every month for a new inspired nurse’s story.