The hospital environment becomes routine for nurses, but not for acutely ill children. In fact, hospitalization of a child is a stressful time not only for the child but for the child’s family. The PICU is particularly stressful because of the extensive use of machines, tubes, and alarms in that environment. Patients are continuously monitored by machines, nurses, or both; after a while, patients’ families become acclimated to the environment and the presence of PICU nurses provides a sense of security and safety. During recovery, children are transferred from the PICU to an unfamiliar environment. During this time, transfer anxiety develops in both the child and the child’s family. They are not only leaving a familiar environment, they are also leaving familiar personnel and monitoring equipment. Lack of preparation and information about the transfer is an overriding cause of stress and anxiety in these families.