Justin Thompson understands what children go through when they’re in the hospital. Confusion. Uncertainty. Being scared. And a child’s resilience.
When Thompson was 12, he was treated for a bone infection at Children’s Hospital Colorado. He remembers his parents’ range of emotions, but he also remembers the compassionate care he received.
“I don’t remember many details of my treatment, but I do remember how wonderful the nursing staff was. And that set the stage for me wanting to give back,” he says.
Thompson wasn’t sure where his interest in pediatrics would lead him, but he returned to Children’s Hospital when he was in college to volunteer and realized nursing was the career path for him.
“I really enjoy seeing the rewards of working with young patients,” he says. “From the start of their illness throughout their treatment, it inspired me to go into healthcare.”
Forming Bonds with Patients
After earning his nursing degree, Thompson worked at UCHealth before returning to Children’s Hospital – this time, working in their cardiac unit. For Thompson, the most rewarding part of working with children is forming strong connections with patients and their families.
“Kids I’ve worked with have unexpected heart surgeries or conditions that might have long-term implications, so I think having that trusting relationship is very emotional but also fulfilling,” he says.
“One common thing I've seen through my experiences in this program is that children have this sense of enthusiasm and playfulness that’s unique in this population,” he says. “Things can be bleak when treating this patient population, but we provide the best care to our patients and families.”
Working with complex patients – and spending his nursing career in acute care – is one reason why Thompson wanted to earn his Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of Colorado College of Nursing at Anschutz Medical Campus.
“I’m driven to learn the latest and newest innovations within the medical community,” he says. “Being able to become that provider that understands bedside nursing while incorporating medical decision making is something that really interests me. Treating a baby having difficulty breathing might look one way compared to a 17-year-old. So becoming a nurse practitioner and treating this patient population allows me to see different things and learn treatments that are unique to pediatrics.”
A Fulfilling Career
Thompson hopes to continue his nursing career at Children’s Hospital – a hospital he’s had a connection to nearly his whole life.
“I take a lot of pride in working at Children’s,” he says. “A few weeks ago, I was helping treat a patient with a similar diagnosis that I had when I was that age. To me, that was a big ‘ah-ha’ moment. I realized that being a part of Children’s is something that gives me a lot of professional fulfilment.”
