Teddy bear clinic helps ease kids’ anxiety about surgery

On Saturday, November 11, Lakeside Hospital for Women and Children and the Association of periOperative Nurses (AORN) held a Teddy Bear Clinic to kick off Perioperative Nurse Week.

Children brought in their beloved teddy bears and stuffed animals to have them cared for by a team of nurses from the New Orleans Chapter of AORN. The children followed their plush “patients” as they experienced hospital check-in, triage, X-rays, anesthesia/surgery, and stitches/sew-up.

The role-play event helped to educate children and parents about hospitalization and let them interact with the friendly nurses and healthcare providers. Every child received a certificate for bravery and all the “patients” were treated and discharged home!

AORN will return to New Orleans March 24-28 to present the Global Surgical Conference & Expo where more than 6,000 OR nurses from across the country will strengthen their nursing skills and enjoy all the fun the city has to offer.