I had some minor outpatient procedures done at the local hospital today and when my daughter came to pick me up, the kids (age 3 & 4) insisted on coming inside. We had told them I was going to get a "shot" to help me feel better and they wanted to check this hospital place out for themselves.

With one of my own daughters and the variety of Foster kids we've cared for, our local hospital's ER is a very familiar place to me, and I did part of my nurses training there on the med-surg unit, so it never occurred to me before that they would be interested.

We do have videos and books about visits to the doctor's office for check-ups, but these particular kids hadn't been to the hospital, at least within their memories. They have a play Check-Up kit and an old stethescope of mine they use, and I look in their ears myself if concerned about infections before making an appointment with their doctor. But Shots are something kids tend to focus on because they hurt and are a frequent part of well-child check-ups at their age. I always try to reassure them that the only hurt for a very short while and help keep us healthy for a very long time.

The Nurses in the Pain Clinic were wonderful, they answered questions and let the two boys help wheel me out to the car. I guess I'll be looking for a Pre-school/Kindergarten book/movie that explains more about the many functions Hospitals perform.