Katie was my labor and delivery nurse this year. I had a difficult, traumatic delivery when my first child was born. I pushed for about 3 1/2 hours total and had a lot of difficulty getting his head and shoulders out. The midwife had to call the doctor into the hospital in the middle of the night after 2 1/2 hours of pushing to evaluate whether we needed to use the vacuum or do a C-section. We went the vacuum route and it wasn't easy. The doctor told my mom the shoulders would be even harder. Every nurse in the unit appeared in my room.
All the nurses on that night were truly amazing and I'm so blessed they were there. But the nurse who stood out the most was Katie. Throughout my entire delivery, she was by my side, easing my tension with her calm demeanor. She sat on the bed beside me at times and explained things to me, never assumed I knew anything, and never left me wondering. She was wonderful. After my child finally got out at 2:17 am, he had to be ambu bagged and placed on a CPAP, leaving me unable to hold him for about 7 hours. It was heartbreaking. And my nurse that I adored and trusted was leaving due to her shift ending. But that's not where Katie stopped caring. She went home and came in on her day off to see how we were doing. It was above and beyond what she needed to do and shows she is in the exact career she needs to be in. I hope the next time I deliver I have Katie. She is truly special.
Note: This is Katie's 2nd DAISY Award!