During our time as NICU parents to our twin boys, born at 28 weeks, we experienced firsthand the profound impact that Nina had on the babies she cared for in the NICU. She consistently went above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating exceptional clinical skills as well as an unparalleled ability to connect with us on a deeply personal level.

Nina was determined for our twin boys to make it home. We experienced the many emotions that come along in a NICU journey; however, through Nina’s knowledge and diligence, we always felt that our babies were in good hands. Nina always made sure our twins were reaching their optimal vitals and comfort. She took the time to help us understand every step of their care along the way. Not only did Nina take great care of our twins, but she also cared for our family during our NICU visits by assisting us with anything we needed and providing the necessary resources. The NICU comes along with a lot of uncertainty, but Nina always went above and beyond to keep us well-informed and provided a sense of security and clarity.

There are many instances in which Nina made us feel like our family was in the right hands. However, there are few that stand out. There was a day in which I had attended the NICU alone without my husband. That day became a bit chaotic in the NICU, with many alarms going off due to a baby across from us who was having a rough day. Due to my past trauma, it was all very triggering and sent me into tears and feeling extremely anxious. Nina was there to calm me down and bring me back to peace of mind by reassuring me that everything was going to be ok. I felt that this was above and beyond her call of duty.

I want her to be recognized for the exceptional care she provides to anyone who is under her care. Another example of what makes Nina the perfect candidate for the DAISY Award is her excellent communication. Every nurse who took over after Nina completed her shifts was given clear and concise information regarding our twin’s care. Whenever we spoke to a nurse who took over for Nina, they were always fully aware of the current protocols for our twins. Also, it’s important to note the rapport that Nina had with the team of physicians who oversaw our twins during their time in the NICU. It was very clear that they, too, had a lot of trust in the knowledge and experience that Nina exemplifies.