When I first arrived in the NICU, and my baby had Amanda as her nurse, I was just automatically drawn to her. She had this healing presence to her. I always say it’s so easy to be a “textbook nurse” and do the bare minimum to get the job done. Amanda has such good bedside manners. As a nurse, your energy is one of your most prized possessions. You are able to radiate joy and optimism and maintain calmness.

Amanda is always helpful; she rounds on my baby constantly, lets me be as hands-on as I want, and checks on me frequently without overbearing or hovering. She always keeps me informed about my baby when she has her, especially about everything that’s going on. Another strong suit Amanda has about her is she is an amazing active listener, and I really feel like she cares about my baby, her grandma, and myself. We have spent a lot of time chit-chatting about different things over the past six weeks I have been in the NICU with my baby. Even when she isn’t my baby’s nurse for the day, and she sees me in the hallway, she will ask how the baby is doing, how I’m doing, how my other kids are doing, how my health is holding up, if I ate, if I drank, and if I pumped for the day. I am a two-time NICU mom, and I have to say it definitely is one of the most vulnerable moments in your life. So to cross paths with a nurse like her, who is smiley, compassionate, has a good heart, and builds rapport and connection with their patients, is rare. She truly is an exceptional nurse.