Honor Walk in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

A child dying is difficult, especially when it occurs as a result of a tragic accident. Caring for critically ill children who are dying can be overwhelming for nurses. Grief responses may be triggered and might be more pronounced if the nurse has developed a close relationship with the child and their family.²  It is, however, well established that despite their own grief, nurses in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) support families as they move forward with decisions for organ donation during devastating situations.³  Research suggests that nurses play critical roles in a grieving family’s decision regarding organ donation.³  Caregivers are more likely to consider organ donation if a nurse has developed a trusting relationship with them, has a positive attitude toward donation, and communicates in an effective, supportive manner the idea that something positive can come from their tragedy.²  When health care providers offer psychological...