If you would have told me 8 months ago that one of my son’s nurses would become like family to me, I’m not sure I’d believe you. You can never truly understand the significance of quality nursing until you or your family member's life is on the line. I have never known a nurse to go so above and beyond what is asked of them the way Brianna has.   

My son, who is now 8 months old, is a very complex baby. He was born with Noonan Syndrome, severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a malformed lymphatic system.  He had a very intense, rough start to his life in which Brianna was by our side throughout it all.  It takes a very confident, passionate and caring nurse to join the team of such a complicated patient, but that is exactly what Brianna did.  

In the beginning, there was a point when we were told there was a good chance our son wasn’t going to make it. Brianna was there for 6 days in a row, which in itself is a lot. Not only did she take the best care of our child throughout those 6 days, but she also continuously advocated for him and got me through some of the hardest days of my life. She held me up off of the floor as I sat there weeping, having nothing left to give. She made sure I ate when I couldn’t stand the thought of even taking a sip of water.  There have been countless days since being here that I have been stuck in my own head and Brianna has always known how to get me out of it. 

Around the end of September is when we initially got discharged and were able to remain home for about a month. Shortly after getting readmitted at the end of October, things took another turn for the worse.  Our son developed a mucus plug in his right lung, which collapsed, and a staff assist was called on him.  It didn’t look good for him; my children, parents, and sister even said their goodbyes.  I’m so very thankful that Brianna was his nurse that day; it was her knowledge of our child on a personal level, in addition to her quick and efficient reaction, that helped save his life. It took several agonizing hours to get our son to stabilize, which consisted of Brianna staying long after her shift was over.  Throughout all of it, she continued to advocate for him and kept my husband and me updated, making sure we understood everything that was happening. Having a team of some of the best doctors in those moments always makes you feel better. However, it was having Brianna by our side that day that made me feel safe.  It wasn’t necessarily that I knew my son was going to be OK, but having her there gave me a feeling of safety that I can’t describe. That’s something that is hard to find in a nurse.

Living in a hospital away from my husband and two other children has been one of the hardest parts of these past 8 months.  It’s uncomfortable, stressful and can get extremely lonely. Something that isn’t always talked about but is very real is the fact that having a baby in the hospital long-term takes away from everyday baby milestones and activities. Brianna has always made sure to make it feel as normal as possible, whether it's as simple as dressing him in cute clothes or getting him in my arms, no matter how difficult that task may be. She’s been my personal photographer at times when I wouldn’t think or remember to take the pictures.  Brianna always knows how to cheer me up and has always made me feel involved and needed in my son's care. I have learned so much from her and continue to, as he just underwent a tracheotomy three weeks ago.  

Brianna continuously makes my entire family a priority, whether it’s making sure we get them up to the hospital to visit or making sure I feel comfortable enough to leave my child for a couple of days to go home and see them.  These are things that nurses are not expected to do. They don’t learn this in nursing school. She doesn’t have to get to know my other children but continues to ask about them, talk to them, and make them feel comfortable in a not-so-comfortable setting.  Every day, when I call my other children, they ask if Brianna is here. That goes to show you how much time and love she has put into my entire family. 

I wholeheartedly believe that I could not have gotten through these eight months without her. To know that my child’s nurse advocates for him to the highest possible standard and as passionately as I do is the best feeling a parent can have. When you have a critically and chronically ill child in the hospital, it makes all the difference in the world when your nurse knows your child on a personal level. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the DAISY Award than Brianna. She will forever be a part of our lives, and I truly cannot repay her for everything she has done for my entire family, but most importantly, my little boy.