Anne Volbrecht
June 2013
Anne
Volbrecht
,
RN
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Mayo Clinic Health System - Eau Claire
Eau Claire
,
WI
United States
After nearly 40 years as a labor and delivery nurse — with a few years off raising her own family — registered nurse Anne Volbrecht knows a thing or two about birthing babies. For the patient, 12 days past the due date of her first baby, childbirth was a new experience. The patient and co-worker calls Anne "amazing".
By the time Anne began her overnight shift in the Family Birthing Center, the patient had been in the hospital since midmorning. When her labor was induced with medication that evening, contractions became intense.
Anne was there every step of the way, explaining and encouraging. Anne was in our room for the entire shift. I'm not even sure she took a break that night. Anne was in our room when things were going well, and she was also there to hold my hand when things were getting a little tough. She was very encouraging, and the extra encouragement is just what I needed.
The patient was still in labor the next morning. After Anne's shift ended, the baby's heart rate dropped; a cesarean section was needed. Later, when Anne called the Family Birthing Center to check on them, she heard the happy outcome: a healthy baby girl. Hearing that Anne called didn't surprise the patient's husband. "It was touching to know that Anne called, on her night off, to check in and see how we were doing. She went well beyond the call of duty."
As a registered nurse herself, the patient saw in action Anne's commitment to her patients. "I work in the system and know what we expect of our employees," says the patient and co-worker, who works in Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine in Eau Claire. "I also know how hard it can be to deliver that kind of care, especially to another nurse."
Starting nursing in 1974, Anne says she's seen a lot of changes in labor and delivery. Without ultrasound, for example, some people didn't know they were expecting twins, she recalls. One thing that hasn't changed is nurses' dedication to their patients and to supporting each other. "We cover each other's back," Anne says.
Anne revels in the fact that her work at the bedside — positioning a laboring mother to ease her pain or offering a recliner to a labor coach - makes a difference. Taking care of the whole family is one of the joys of her job, she says. It's so much fun. I can help them."
By the time Anne began her overnight shift in the Family Birthing Center, the patient had been in the hospital since midmorning. When her labor was induced with medication that evening, contractions became intense.
Anne was there every step of the way, explaining and encouraging. Anne was in our room for the entire shift. I'm not even sure she took a break that night. Anne was in our room when things were going well, and she was also there to hold my hand when things were getting a little tough. She was very encouraging, and the extra encouragement is just what I needed.
The patient was still in labor the next morning. After Anne's shift ended, the baby's heart rate dropped; a cesarean section was needed. Later, when Anne called the Family Birthing Center to check on them, she heard the happy outcome: a healthy baby girl. Hearing that Anne called didn't surprise the patient's husband. "It was touching to know that Anne called, on her night off, to check in and see how we were doing. She went well beyond the call of duty."
As a registered nurse herself, the patient saw in action Anne's commitment to her patients. "I work in the system and know what we expect of our employees," says the patient and co-worker, who works in Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine in Eau Claire. "I also know how hard it can be to deliver that kind of care, especially to another nurse."
Starting nursing in 1974, Anne says she's seen a lot of changes in labor and delivery. Without ultrasound, for example, some people didn't know they were expecting twins, she recalls. One thing that hasn't changed is nurses' dedication to their patients and to supporting each other. "We cover each other's back," Anne says.
Anne revels in the fact that her work at the bedside — positioning a laboring mother to ease her pain or offering a recliner to a labor coach - makes a difference. Taking care of the whole family is one of the joys of her job, she says. It's so much fun. I can help them."