Oncology nurse finds her reward in relationships

By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer

Amelia Herbert did her capstone project in nursing school on 5 West at Riley Hospital for Children and knew she didn’t want to work anywhere else.

Lucky for her and her oncology patients, she joined the nursing team on that same unit after graduation five years ago and never looked back.

“I loved it from the time I started,” she said. “Even though it can be challenging at times, I like the relationships you get to form with the kids. You get to really connect.”

One of those kids she connected with is Bentley “Benny” Parker, 6, whose grandmother and guardian nominated Herbert for nursing’s DAISY Award.

Herbert has been nominated several times before, but this is the first time she has won the award, which recognizes expert clinical skills and compassionate care.

Christie “Sunshine” Parker said Herbert “embodies what it truly means to be an extraordinary pediatric nurse.”

In her nomination letter, which she agreed to share for this story, Parker said her grandson struggled with fear and anxiety (understandably) when it came to needles and medical procedures, sometimes reacting with tears and kicks.

But Herbert didn’t see a difficult patient in those moments, Parker said. She saw a frightened little boy.

“She was patient with him when he was scared. She took the time to talk to him, reassure him, make him laugh and earn his trust. She never made him feel like his fear was an inconvenience. Instead, she met him exactly where he was emotionally and gave him the time and compassion he needed.”

It didn’t stop there, though, Parker added.

“Whenever she has even a few extra moments, she spends them playing with him. She makes time to be silly with him, talk to him, and let him simply be a little boy. In a hospital where so much of his life revolves around cancer, chemotherapy, needles, procedures, medications and uncertainty, she gives him something incredibly valuable – normal childhood moments.”

Of course, Herbert cares deeply about all of her patients, but Benny is a “special kiddo,” she said, recalling how she took care of him when he was first diagnosed.

“It was hard in the hospital, and it was an adjustment for him,” the young nurse said. “I was able to understand that he responded to things differently, and I got to see the growth he had from that first week until now.”

The two have a close relationship built on trust – and a little playfulness.

“We play games, and he likes to prank me,” she said. “He’s a great kid. Everyone on the unit loves him.”

Parker said Herbert understands that pediatric nursing isn’t only about administering medications, checking vital signs or completing procedures.

“It is about caring for the whole child – their body, their mind, their emotions and their heart.”

Hearing those words means the world to Herbert.

“Our jobs are really hard, so when you get notes like that, it reminds you that it’s all worth it. We can get so busy on the unit that you don’t notice how much the little moments you have with the kids impact them, so when someone brings that to light, it’s really nice that they see how much I care.”

Herbert, who was born in England and holds dual U.S./UK citizenship, just traveled back there to visit family. Other than traveling and recently moving to a new townhouse, she keeps busy outside of Riley studying to become a nurse practitioner.

“It’s consuming my life,” she joked.

Nominate a nurse who exemplifies excellent clinical skills and compassionate care here. https://www.rileychildrens.org/form/riley-daisy-award

Photos submitted and by Mike Dickbernd, IU Health visual journalist, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org