I have worked alongside Jessica for 10+ years now and have always admired her. She really takes such good care of her patients and their families. She always takes her time with each assessment, her bedside is always neat, and she thoroughly explains what is going on with her patient to the parents. My favorite thing about Jessica is that she always adds a special touch to each patient, whether it be a bow in a girl's hair or a cute outfit on a little boy that will make the parents smile when they walk in. Sometimes you will see Jessica charting after her shift is done, not because of her lack of time management skills, but because of how much time she gives to patient care throughout the day.
Recently, I was able to experience first hand the compassionate care Jessica provides as I became a parent in the NICU. I developed severe preeclampsia at 27weeks of my pregnancy and was told horrifying news that my baby must be delivered. I had never been so scared in my life, for as a NICU nurse, I know all the possible outcomes of having a baby that early. As the Labor and Delivery team quickly prepared me for a C-Section, I laid in bed in severe pain crying hysterically at the thought of having a premature baby. The delivery was going to happen after 7:00 pm, so Jessica finished her shift and came to say goodbye to me, but when she saw how scared I was she asked me if I wanted her to stay, I said yes. So she went back to the NICU to change into scrubs and headed to the OR to prepare for the birth of my baby. I don' t remember much of what happened once I was in the OR but I do remember Jessica rubbing my arm and telling me everything was going to be okay. She also comforted my husband as he was scared to death sitting beside me, not knowing what could happen to me or our child. I didn't see Jessica for the rest of the night but she was back the next day to care for our baby girl. That day, I was still on Magnesium and so out of it that I just couldn't make it down to the NICU to visit, but knowing that Jessica was there, I was able to stay in my room to rest and recover. I finally made it down later that night after Jessica had gone home. I looked into my daughter's isolette and there attached to her CPAP hat was a hair bow with a flower and little feathers. The night shift nurse said that Jessica had brought it in and I smiled.
There are not enough words to express how grateful I am for the NICU team who cared for our daughter the day she was born and throughout the 73 days she was there. Every single nurse who took care of her did an excellent job, but Jessica stands out the most because of what she did for me on the day she was born. I believe she deserves to be recognized in some way for her compassionate care. As a parent, a co-worker and as a friend, she stands out and will always have a special place in mine and my family's heart.