Your Visit
What Families Can Expect
When you come to Nemours, your family becomes our family. From your first appointment through treatment and beyond, we work to make every part of your experience as smooth as possible.
We want you to feel informed and empowered before your first visit. We take time to understand your needs and schedule your first appointment quickly and at your convenience. We’ll help you coordinate all the details like tests and records transfer, and more.
Scheduling Your Visit
You can schedule an appointment by calling our central appointment line. For urgent issues, we offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Throughout your child’s time with us, we try our best to make it easy on your family. Whether it’s using online video visits, scheduling visits with multiple care team members at once, or following up at a satellite location that’s a little closer to home, we do everything we can to help you.
Your First Clinic Visit
Your first clinic visit can last one to two hours. You'll be welcomed by our front desk team and then meet with a nurse who will collect vital signs and medical history. Your child's physician will conduct a thorough exam and discuss any concerns. Depending on your child's needs, you may also meet with specialists like social workers or Child Life specialists. Before you leave, our team will provide a clear plan for next steps and make sure all your questions are answered.
Hospital Stay
If your child requires hospitalization, our admission team will guide you through the process. Upon arrival, you'll check in at the admissions desk where staff will complete needed paperwork and provide identification bands. A nurse will show you to your child's room and explain how to use the call system, meal ordering and other hospital amenities. Your care team will establish a daily routine including rounds, medication schedules and therapy sessions.
Preparing for your child's hospital visit can help make the experience more comfortable. Here’s a list of things to bring:
- Your child's insurance card and photo ID
- List of current medications, including dosages and schedules
- Names and contact information for all healthcare providers your child sees
- Comfortable clothes for your child (including pajamas for overnight stays)
- Your child's favorite comfort item (blanket, stuffed animal, or toy)
- Entertainment items like books, tablets, headphones, or games
- Basic toiletries for both your child and accompanying family members
- Snacks and drinks for parents/caregivers (child-friendly options are available on-site)
- Important phone numbers and emergency contacts
- Any medical equipment your child regularly uses
- A notebook to record information and questions for the care team
- Clothing changes for your child and yourself
- Phone chargers and other electronic device accessories
- Your child's school assignments if applicable
Note: Each of our locations has laundry facilities, family kitchenettes and access to basic toiletries if needed. Please leave valuable items at home whenever possible.
Your child's safety is our highest priority. We maintain enhanced safety protocols across all our locations to protect our patients, especially those with weakened immune systems.
Visitor Guidelines
- Two primary caregivers may stay with your child at all times.
- Siblings and additional family members may visit during designated hours.
- All visitors must be free from illness, including cold, flu, or stomach symptoms.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Quiet hours are observed to ensure patients get adequate rest.
Infection Control Measures
- Hand hygiene stations are located throughout our facilities.
- All visitors must wash hands or use hand sanitizer before entering patient areas.
- Medical equipment is thoroughly disinfected between each patient.
- Enhanced cleaning protocols are in place for all common areas.
- Some patients may require additional precautions based on their condition.
Immunization & Masking Policies
- All visitors should be up-to-date on routine vaccinations.
- Seasonal flu vaccines are strongly recommended for all family members.
- Masking may be required in certain areas of the hospital or during high-risk seasons.
- Additional protective equipment may be necessary when visiting immunocompromised patients.
- Our staff follows strict immunization protocols to protect our vulnerable patients.
These policies may be adjusted based on your child's specific medical needs or during seasonal illness outbreaks. Your care team will inform you of any special precautions needed for your child.
Family Support & Resources
We know that caring for a child with critical illness affects the entire family. That's why we offer comprehensive support services focused on your needs.
Families should focus on their child's health, not financial worries. Our dedicated counselors provide a range of financial assistance services. These specialists understand the unique challenges families face during treatment and provide personalized guidance to help ease this burden. Your financial counselor will:
- Meet with you early on to discuss insurance coverage and costs.
- Help identify financial assistance programs you may qualify.
- Assist with applications for Medicaid, charitable care, and foundation support.
- Explain billing statements and help resolve insurance issues.
- Create manageable payment plans tailored to your family's situation.
- Connect you with resources for travel, lodging, and medication assistance.
- Provide guidance on managing work leave and disability benefits.
- Offer ongoing support as your needs change throughout treatment.
Our goal is to ensure that every family has access to the care they need, regardless of financial status. Financial counselors are available at all our locations to help you.
Our certified Child Life specialists are key members of your care team. We help children and families cope with the challenges of treatment. We explain medical experiences in age-appropriate ways, helping to reduce anxiety and build confidence. Our team will:
- Prepare your child for procedures using developmentally appropriate explanations.
- Teach coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety.
- Support siblings who may be experiencing their own concerns.
- Coordinate special celebrations for birthdays and treatment milestones.
- Maintain connections with your child's school community.
- Advocate for your child's needs while they're here.
- Provide play experiences that support development.
Our clinical social workers help families navigate care. From your first visit through ongoing treatment and after, your social worker serves as your guide, advocate, and support person. We help with:
- Housing and transportation assistance when traveling for care.
- Educational advocacy and school communication.
- Insurance navigation and financial resource connections.
- Emotional support and counseling for the whole family.
- Connection to support groups and peer mentor programs.
- Cultural and language support services.
- Referrals to community resources and support organizations.
- Crisis intervention and ongoing support as needed.
A cancer or blood disorder diagnosis affects the emotional well-being of the entire family. Our team of pediatric psychologists and mental health counselors provide comprehensive support that includes:
- Individual counseling sessions tailored to your child's age and needs.
- Family therapy to help parents and siblings cope with the impact of diagnosis and treatment.
- Psychological assessments to monitor your child's emotional adjustment and development.
- Specialized support for managing treatment-related anxiety and stress.
- Behavioral strategies to help with medication adherence and procedures.
- Parent guidance for supporting your child's emotional needs.
- Group sessions where children and teens can connect with peers.
- Collaboration with your medical team to support your child's overall well-being.
Creative therapy programs are powerful tools for expression and healing. Our specialists personalize activities to each child's interests, energy levels, and treatment schedule so they get the most benefit from these programs. We provide:
- Art therapy sessions where children can paint, draw, and create, helping them process their experiences.
- Music therapy that brings joy and relaxation through singing, playing instruments, and listening.
- Medical play that helps children understand procedures and reduce anxiety.
- Interactive games and activities designed for different age groups.
Family-Centered Environment
Our facilities are designed to support families, whether you’re here for an office visit or an overnight stay. While specific amenities vary by location, each provides comforts of home and services that make life a little easier.
Located at the Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware in Wilmington, our new center is a special place for families and kids of all ages. Everything is designed to make life feel as normal as possible during treatment. We offer:
- Welcoming kitchen where families can prepare favorite meals and maintain cherished traditions.
- Vibrant great room for family gatherings, movies, and group activities.
- Dedicated teen hangout space equipped with games, music, and entertainment.
- Age-specific playrooms designed for both individual and group activities.
We offer many hospital support services and places for peaceful respite, including:
- Free parking (surface level and underground)
- Scenic, calming setting
- Private rooms with family sleep options
- Ronald McDonald House across from our campus
- Healing Garden
- Kid-friendly activities and places to play
- On-site school classroom equipped with computers and library
- Outpatient pharmacy
- Language interpretation
- Services for the hearing impaired
- Pastoral care and places for prayer and meditation
Our state-of-the-art center in Jacksonville offers a fully integrated approach to hematology/oncology treatment for kids. We provide many services in one location, making it easier for families to get the care they need. With services and support in partnership with Wolfson Children’s Hospital, we offer:
- Age-appropriate spaces where children and teens can relax and play while waiting.
- Efficient clinic design that minimizes wait times between different services.
- Private rooms for consultations, education sessions and telehealth appointments.
- Dedicated medication room ensuring safe, timely treatment.
- Family-friendly spaces including a welcoming parent lounge and interactive child life area where your child can play and learn.
You also have access to a wide variety of amenities and support services, like:
- Outpatient pharmacy
- Kid-friendly waiting areas
- Family resource library
- Medical play and expressive arts program
- Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville
- Language interpreters
- Animal assisted activities
- Advisory councils for families
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida in Orlando provides a healing environment where advanced medical care meets family-centered comfort. We offer:
- State-of-the-art infusion center.
- Welcoming play zones designed specifically for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens
- Streamlined clinic layout that allows for multiple services during a single visit
- Specially equipped medication administration area.
- Family support spaces including a relaxing parent retreat area, engaging child life activity center and dedicated staff areas to ensure your care team is at their best.
Our children’s hospital is designed just for families. We offer support services and amenities like:
- TV-free family lounges for gathering or quiet time
- Outpatient pharmacy
- Child and teen playrooms
- Washers and dryers
- Rooftop gardens and Discovery Garden
- Ronald McDonald House nearby
- Creative therapies
- Nondenominational spiritual care and support services
- Parent advisory councils
- Family resource center