My Experience from a Children’s Hospital in the USA: The Support I Want to Bring Home

When I left for an internship at a children’s hospital in St. Louis this year, I knew I would learn a lot of new things. But I had no idea that my perspective would be turned upside down – on what a hospital can, and truly should, give to a child.

I had the chance to spend intensive time with a team of Child Life Specialists – a profession that is well established in the USA, but still finding its place in our country. And you know what? After this experience, I have no doubt about the immense value of this role – not only for children and their families, but also for the entire healthcare team.

Klára, our Play Specialist, during her internship in St. Louis

Who is a Child Life Specialist?

A Child Life Specialist supports children and families during their hospital stay. They translate “medical language” into child-friendly words, prepare children for procedures, offer coping strategies to ease pain and trauma, and most importantly – bring play and childhood back into the hospital.

I saw it with my own eyes. In radiology, surgery, oncology, the transplant unit… in all those difficult moments and places where you might think there’s no space for play or laughter. But that’s exactly where they are needed the most.

That big group of girls in pink? That’s the Child Life team in the St. Louis hospital at Halloween (they were “frosted animal crackers” 😊).

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Small Moments, Big Impact

One of the strongest experiences for me was watching Nikki at the Proton Center. Children with cancer come there for radiation treatment every day for six weeks. The treatment itself is extremely demanding, and yet I saw kids who managed to go through it without anesthesia, with minimal stress, and even with smiles – thanks to Nikki’s preparation and support.

For a child, it is terrifying – a mask on the face, a noisy machine, lying still for a long time. And then Nikki comes in, and suddenly the mask becomes a superhero helmet. The noisy, intimidating machine turns into a “spaceship,” and radiation treatment becomes a “mission” the child can complete.

Nikki’s work begins at diagnosis. She helps each child find a comfortable way of coping with radiation, tailored to their age, interests, and individual abilities. Sometimes, a child starts radiation only under anesthesia, unable to stay still and too frightened. But gradually – with preparation, play, and support – they can complete the treatment fully conscious. That makes a huge difference, not only medically, but most importantly, humanly.

A photo of Nikki with a young patient during radiation treatment. At first, he was very shy and needed anesthesia for the procedures. But with training and support, he gradually gained confidence – and during the last 4 weeks of daily sessions, he managed the treatment fully awake!

I’ll never forget how Nikki took the radiation mask and decorated it according to the child’s wishes (favorite superhero, fairy-tale character, etc.). Suddenly, that frightening piece of plastic became a superhero helmet. And with it came the feeling: “I can do this.”

And you know what struck me as absolutely brilliant? The hospital even 3D-prints models of each child’s tumor so they can see it, touch it, understand it – and sometimes even smash it or paint it. Such a moment transforms abstract fear into something tangible and manageable.

A radiation mask that Nikki painted for a patient who loves Pokémon.

A model Nikki uses to help children understand their diagnosis before beginning radiation therapy.

What Comes Next?

My internship at the children’s hospital in St. Louis wasn’t just an experience – it was a challenge. And now I’m starting to carry it out here at home. Step by step, I’m working with children, families, and healthcare teams in the Czech context. I’ve seen firsthand in the U.S. that even the smallest moments of support can transform difficult times – for children, their families, and the whole care team. And that is exactly the kind of care I want to help build here.

Our whole team of Child Life Specialists is now gathering experience, continuing our education, learning from international professionals, sharing what we’ve learned, and searching for the best ways to integrate Child Life Specialists into everyday practice in Czech healthcare. We’re asking how we can best serve sick children, their families, and healthcare staff. This is only the beginning of a long journey. But I believe it is worth it – because every child deserves not only treatment, but also understanding, and the chance to remain a child – even while seriously ill, even in the hospital.

Courage Program: Children mark off or decorate each day of completed treatment – a small but powerful way to see their own progress.