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Anuoluwakpo
Student
New Britain, Connecticut
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Question
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What sort of advice would you give to someone who is looking to work with sick children if that person is very sensitive; regardless of that weakness, they have a strong passion and love for kids and that’s the only career they see themselves with for the long term?
For context this person wants to pursue a doctorate in the field.
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Dr H
Dr. H's Research
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Australia
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Dr’s Answer
Hi Anuoluwakpo, Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt and honest question. If someone is sensitive but deeply passionate about working with sick children, here’s something I want them (and anyone else feeling the same) to remember.
Sensitivity is not a weakness rather say it’s a gift.
Children don’t just need brilliant doctors or professionals to be honest they need people who feel deeply, who care, who stay. Sensitivity allows you to connect, to notice the little things, and to provide comfort in ways many others overlook. My own sister, she is really sensitive and I remember dragging her along with me to teach because I needed a little pocket money and I wanted her to experience the teaching life cause she was lost in her path. Now she ended up with kindergarten kids. Yea, teachers honestly always complained about how she lacked her professional work not being able to check on time or whatsoever, but when I heard the parents speak, I was always with a smile to hear them say so much of how she actually was helpful with the kids despite her sensitivity she actually thrived in that and I know that's no weakness even if you break sometimes. Thats part of growing stronger.
That said, here’s what I’d share to help that passion thrive long-term.
1. Build emotional regulation, not suppression. You don’t have to stop feeling. But you do need to learn how to manage your emotions in high-stakes environments. Practice grounding techniques, brief breathing resets, and reflective journaling. Therapy or supervision can be powerful too. I myself am an emotional and sensitive person often and let me say I broke a lot during my years of learning and even during teaching younger kids, I remember my primary time I cried a couple times but it didn't weaken me it actually made me grow stronger with not just life but the kids too and built a boundless connection. Also, you cant imagine how caring those little monkeys become.
2. Train your empathy muscles and your boundaries. Love for kids should not come at the cost of your own health. Learn when to step in and when to step back. Compassion fatigue is real, your longevity in this field will depend on how you protect your energy. So when you need a time out just take it. Dont be afraid to even play with the kids when you feel down. I played soccer with my primary students, I mean I didn't just teach them how to hit that goal but I put a show too, and not to say to keep that health up.
3. Prepare for loss, but never let it define the job because most see it as the job. So, working with sick children includes moments of joy, breakthroughs, healing and heartbreak. And that's the truth and we all know who have worked and been through this path. Let both live side-by-side. The hard parts never stop hurting, but with time, they won’t crush you. I know it will be hard especially with sensitivity along but I know you will learn to navigate it along the way.
4. Lean into a strong support system. Whether it’s a mentor, cohort, friend, or spiritual guide, don’t do this work alone. Talk to people who understand the unique emotional weight of pediatric care. Vulnerability with the right people keeps you strong. Now, some do think doing it alone is key, and I wouldn't say you cant handle it, but we are humans and we cant actually live alone on our own forever always especially when you got to handle the kids in ill states. So, try to make connections outside and in, online or off, just have the moments shared. People love hearing your side and I can even tell you writing it and sharing those moments will help too. I have been on Medium and many show how its helped so don't take it hard.
5. Let your sensitivity shape your approach. Maybe you’ll be the one who sits a little longer at the bedside. Maybe you’ll notice the quiet child others overlook. Maybe your extra tears will lead to extra trust from a worried family. That’s not weakness. That’s impact and remember that.
You don’t have to become “less sensitive” to do this work Anuolowakpo, you just need to become stronger with your sensitivity. Try to connect and learn to navigate it, like becoming part with it, which may sound weird but you can actually do it. And know that the best pediatric professionals carry softness and steel together. Wishing you the best on this route and know if you got more questions or anything you can always reach out to me and everyone here.
Volunteer or intern at children’s hospitals or child-centered care programs, dip your toes in gradually.
Join forums or follow pediatric professionals online to get insight into real-life experiences.
Start a reflective journal from day one of your program, this will become your guide and your grounding.
Pursue courses in grief, trauma, and pediatric psychology, build a mental toolkit alongside your medical one.
Remind yourself: kids don’t need perfect people. They need present ones.
Sensitivity is not a weakness rather say it’s a gift.
Children don’t just need brilliant doctors or professionals to be honest they need people who feel deeply, who care, who stay. Sensitivity allows you to connect, to notice the little things, and to provide comfort in ways many others overlook. My own sister, she is really sensitive and I remember dragging her along with me to teach because I needed a little pocket money and I wanted her to experience the teaching life cause she was lost in her path. Now she ended up with kindergarten kids. Yea, teachers honestly always complained about how she lacked her professional work not being able to check on time or whatsoever, but when I heard the parents speak, I was always with a smile to hear them say so much of how she actually was helpful with the kids despite her sensitivity she actually thrived in that and I know that's no weakness even if you break sometimes. Thats part of growing stronger.
That said, here’s what I’d share to help that passion thrive long-term.
1. Build emotional regulation, not suppression. You don’t have to stop feeling. But you do need to learn how to manage your emotions in high-stakes environments. Practice grounding techniques, brief breathing resets, and reflective journaling. Therapy or supervision can be powerful too. I myself am an emotional and sensitive person often and let me say I broke a lot during my years of learning and even during teaching younger kids, I remember my primary time I cried a couple times but it didn't weaken me it actually made me grow stronger with not just life but the kids too and built a boundless connection. Also, you cant imagine how caring those little monkeys become.
2. Train your empathy muscles and your boundaries. Love for kids should not come at the cost of your own health. Learn when to step in and when to step back. Compassion fatigue is real, your longevity in this field will depend on how you protect your energy. So when you need a time out just take it. Dont be afraid to even play with the kids when you feel down. I played soccer with my primary students, I mean I didn't just teach them how to hit that goal but I put a show too, and not to say to keep that health up.
3. Prepare for loss, but never let it define the job because most see it as the job. So, working with sick children includes moments of joy, breakthroughs, healing and heartbreak. And that's the truth and we all know who have worked and been through this path. Let both live side-by-side. The hard parts never stop hurting, but with time, they won’t crush you. I know it will be hard especially with sensitivity along but I know you will learn to navigate it along the way.
4. Lean into a strong support system. Whether it’s a mentor, cohort, friend, or spiritual guide, don’t do this work alone. Talk to people who understand the unique emotional weight of pediatric care. Vulnerability with the right people keeps you strong. Now, some do think doing it alone is key, and I wouldn't say you cant handle it, but we are humans and we cant actually live alone on our own forever always especially when you got to handle the kids in ill states. So, try to make connections outside and in, online or off, just have the moments shared. People love hearing your side and I can even tell you writing it and sharing those moments will help too. I have been on Medium and many show how its helped so don't take it hard.
5. Let your sensitivity shape your approach. Maybe you’ll be the one who sits a little longer at the bedside. Maybe you’ll notice the quiet child others overlook. Maybe your extra tears will lead to extra trust from a worried family. That’s not weakness. That’s impact and remember that.
You don’t have to become “less sensitive” to do this work Anuolowakpo, you just need to become stronger with your sensitivity. Try to connect and learn to navigate it, like becoming part with it, which may sound weird but you can actually do it. And know that the best pediatric professionals carry softness and steel together. Wishing you the best on this route and know if you got more questions or anything you can always reach out to me and everyone here.
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