Le Bonheur is home to the largest surgical brain tumor program in the country, as well as some of the most skilled neurosurgeons in the country. Le Bonheur’s collaboration with St. Jude allows many children to receive their neurosurgical care at Le Bonheur, and their multimodality therapy at St. Jude.

5 South, Le Bonheur’s Neuroscience Unit, is comprised of 20 private patient rooms that accommodate different levels of care. Nurses take care of all types of patients including those who, straight out the Intensive Care Unit, require more monitoring and kids almost well enough to go home.
 
In addition, each room is designed with the child in mind. The unit is designed to sooth the child and comfort the family. Friendly murals of the four seasons adorn the walls - while the nurses’ station serves as the central gazebo and hallway lights are disguised as street lamps. 

The Neuroscience Unit is staffed by specially trained registered nurses. All the nurses on the floor are PALS certified and a large majority have or are working on their pediatric certification. Each nurse undergoes additional training to best understand the central nervous system anatomy, physiology and specific affects neurological disorders have on children. This training and combined years of experience allows the neuroscience nurse to best care for the whole child – mind, body, and spirit. Finally, Nurse Practitioners dedicated to neurosurgical and neurology patients assist in coordinating care, educating patients and families, and serving as a constant resource for all.

5 South is a great place for nurses to learn a variety of skills in caring for neurological disorders. Nurses are able to work with world-renowned physicians and surgeons, as well as a comprehensive team of caregivers such as patient care coordinators, nurse externs and social workers. Each nurse is given an opportunity to attend conferences in the field. Additionally, the nurse to patient ratio on the floor is 1:3 on a day shift, and 1:4 on a night shift. On 5 South, nurses and staff are continuously looking at evidence-based information to weave into practice so that outcomes for patients are of outstanding quality.