Courtney Rose, Charge Nurse

What we expected to be a brief emergency room visit to have our 5-day-old newborn checked after a frightening choking and unresponsive episode turned into an extremely long and exhausting night in the ED, followed by a transfer to Inova Children’s Hospital the next morning. Through all the chaos and uncertainty, our saving grace was Courtney, the NICU charge nurse, who was the only person that night whom we felt truly listened to us, understood our concerns, and tirelessly advocated for our baby.

By the time Courtney was consulted to start an IV, our baby had already been stuck three times without success and hadn’t eaten in over eight hours. Our sweet girl was exhausted from crying and being held down repeatedly for various attempts to find a usable vein, and as parents, it was heartbreaking to watch her endure so much pain and distress.

The moment Courtney entered the room, everything changed. She immediately sensed our frustration and took the time to really listen to our concerns. She brought a calm, compassionate presence and instantly made us feel heard. She took initiative to clarify the plan with the physician, ensuring everyone was on the same page about whether she was to start an IV, draw labs, or both—something that had been unclear up to that point.

Despite our baby’s dehydration and fragile state, Courtney gently attempted twice and was able to obtain a small amount of blood for a few of the labs. Then, without hesitation, she insisted that no further IV sticks be attempted and that it was time to feed her. She once again advocated on our behalf with the physician, emphasizing the urgency of allowing our baby to eat since IV fluids could not yet be initiated. Courtney even volunteered to help with paced feeding if he would allow her.

By 5 a.m., after nearly ten long hours, our baby was finally able to eat, relax, and rest peacefully before being transferred to Inova. Courtney could have easily completed the task asked of her and moved on with her charge nurse responsibilities—but she didn’t. She stayed with us for over two hours, ensuring that our baby was cared for and that we, as anxious parents, felt supported and informed.

Her compassion, advocacy, and genuine care went far beyond her expected duties. Courtney even reached out through a mutual friend days later to check on our daughter—a gesture that truly speaks to her heart and dedication to her patients and their families.

We are endlessly grateful for Courtney. She was not just a nurse to us that night—she was our advocate, our comfort, and our light during one of the most stressful experiences of our lives. She embodies everything the DAISY Award stands for and more.