As STAT RN, I was called to check on a patient in the Child Birth Center who was having some medical complications after giving birth to her child several days prior. After being unable to progress in her labor process, the patient had an emergent C-section. This is often an unsettling event for patients, but not exactly an uncommon one. However, this new mom also experienced another complication causing her quite a bit of pain, a new unexpected abdominal surgery, an ICU stay and having to have several drains placed. She was now back in the child birth center so they could manage her postpartum issues while she recovered.

This experience was quite overwhelming for a new mom who just wants to celebrate the joyful birth of their child, and also it was quite an out-of-the-ordinary circumstance for the nurses in the child birth center to try to navigate. Alison, however, rose to the challenge. With her strong med/surg background, she seized the chance to care for this woman. She knew just how to manage her drain and wound vac, she understood both her postpartum needs as well as her medical and surgical recovery needs. She also collaborated with the STAT RN (myself) to make sure we were aware to support the CBC staff and patient, and advocated for physical therapy to be involved. Anything that would help this new mom on her path of recovery!

All of that is amazing and truly what our nurses do every day, however, Alison went even further. Upon my arrival to the room, I found Alison at the patient's bedside consoling her as she clearly had just had an emotional breakdown. This new mom was crying and feeling distressed over all the recent events, her concerns for her recovery, her grief for not getting the birth experience she had imagined and hoped for, and her inability to be home with her new baby and her family. Alison calmly listened, acknowledged the patient's recent hardships and fears for further setbacks, but then gently reminded her to stay present in the now. "Right now," she said, "You are getting better". She told her to remind herself of that every time things start to overwhelm her, to stay present in the NOW as she moves forward to better days with her new child. Alison expressed some other words of encouragement as well, but it was that simple message that resonated. It was a beautiful conversation that I had the privilege to witness. After talking to Alison, the new mom took a deep breath, sighed through her tears and said, "Thank you. I need to hear that."

I just wanted to take a moment and call Alison out for being not only an amazing CBC nurse who takes on challenging patients with complex issues, but rises beyond to support the emotional needs of her patients during their times of joy AND times of pain. This is truly the art of healing. Thank you, Alison, for demonstrating such a wonderful example of this.