As a fellow Mount Sinai South Nassau RN, this is a very unique opportunity— to nominate another nurse who took care of me during one of the most exciting, scary, vulnerable, and memorable times of my life. I was over 40 weeks pregnant when I was admitted to labor and delivery to deliver my very first baby. Scared, nervous, excited, and anxious were just some of the emotions I was experiencing. I was about 8 hours into my induction when I was introduced to my night nurse, and from the minute she entered the room, I felt the biggest wave of relief come over me. I knew I would be in the best hands.

Meghan immediately made me feel like things were under control. She kept me informed of the plan. She told me what to expect, which helped ease my fears. She demonstrated incredible communication not only to my husband and I, but to the entire team around her. She truly led the team from the minute she came onto her shift until the minute my baby entered the world. My husband and I couldn’t stop talking about how she “ran the show.” She really did. I watched her communicate with the doctors, teach the residents, voice her opinion, make phone calls, make suggestions, and advocate for me when I needed it.

Meghan went above and beyond her job duties. She spent time in my room with my husband and I where she shared stories with me about motherhood, she heard all about our life, our plans for our baby. It was so nice to have someone to talk to (especially when my husband would fall asleep!) She really made the time pass more quickly for me, and I was truly grateful for her presence. I will never forget the way Meghan took care of me during one of the most vulnerable moments of my life. She single-handedly helped change me, boost me up, position me to make things comfortable, and help me manage my pain. I never once felt embarrassed or uncomfortable. Her care was so natural, and her confidence was calming.

My labor experience had a few bumps in the road, but through it all, I was never scared. I felt that as long as Meghan was there, my baby and I were in the best possible hands. I truly felt that Meghan could have delivered my baby had she needed to—that’s how much I trusted her. That’s how every nurse should make you feel. Safe, calm, and at ease. Our baby girl came into the world at 6:11 am, right before the end of Meghan’s shift. She shared in the best moment of my life with my husband and I. She took pictures for us. She celebrated with us. She gave a report to the oncoming nurse but stayed later to make sure my daughter and I were okay, to help me breastfeed, and to offer her final tips. I will never forget having Meghan by my side through the experience of having my first baby. I will be forever grateful for the incredible care she gave us. Her passion and love for her career show in every single way. She is a one-of-a-kind nurse, and every patient she serves in Labor & Delivery is lucky to have her.