Kid's Corner
What happens when I go to the hospital?
Going to the hospital can be scary. But it will be less scary if you know why you are going and what is likely to happen when you get there. Remember that you are not alone. Lots of people go to the hospital everyday to get help.
Ask questions
As soon as you know you are going to the hospital, find out as much as you can about it and what will happen while you're there. One of the first things you will probably want to know is how long you will be at the hospital--for just a few hours or for several days?
Ask lots of questions. You will probably find it easier to remember them if you write them down.
You can get your parents to help you make your list of questions. They may also be able to answer some of your questions. And if they don't know some of the answers, the doctors and nurses at the hospital will. Take your list of questions with you to ask the doctors and nurses.
Tour the hospital
Ask if you can tour the hospital before going to stay. That way you'll know what the inside of the hospital looks like and where things are. You might even get to see the room where you'll stay! If you tour the hospital before you go, it won't seem so strange when you go there.
Tell your friends
If you are going to the hospital for a while, tell your friends before you go and ask them to write to you or visit you while you're there. It may help to think of your trip to the hospital as an adventure that you can talk to your friends about later.
Tell your teacher
One of your parents should tell your teacher that you are going to be in the hospital. It's OK to miss school if you have to be in the hospital--you can catch up on schoolwork later. Sometimes you can bring schoolwork with you and do it in the hospital.
Things to take along
If you are going to the hospital for a while, you could make a list of the things you want to take with you, like a favorite toy, game, or book. You'll need to make sure it's okay to take these things to the hospital with you.
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