Caitlin Alesch

Responsibilities

Observation, co-treating, and independently supporting children and families in the Cardiac Care Unit, Pre/Post Surgical Unit, Radiology, Hematology/Oncology & Infusion Center, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, General Medical/Surgical Inpatient Units, and Emergency Department. I attend staff meetings, facilitate volunteer orientations, chart patient interactions, facilitate medical play, provide coping, distraction, and preparation support to patients and families. I also complete homework assignments such as weekly journals, focus questions, developmental assessments, a case study, and one overall internship project.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment during my internship experience was when I went to a unit that I did not have much comfort in and made a very strong connection with a family. This family then moved to my primary unit, where I got to provide my first independent support to their child during a medical procedure that was very traumatic for him. I supported him in going from having extreme anxiety before and during the procedure to sitting on his own and utilizing coping skills independently.

Learning experience

The greatest lessons I learned from my experience were: -Child Life skills are fundamentally the same, but are tailored to different units and needs of patients -Constructive criticism is hard to hear, but helps you learn and grow -There is always room to grow and improve -It is crucial to believe in yourself

What advice would you give?

Be committed to what you are passionate about. Explore all the options and areas you love, see what opportunities exist, try everything out, and find what is the best fit for you. Be okay to be told no and to fail. Things will always work out how they are supposed to.