I have had the pleasure of working with Michelle over the last few years throughout the hospital and was pleased to have her as my first postpartum nurse, as well as my discharging nurse. Michelle was very attentive, extremely friendly, and patient with my large family. Even though I have postpartum training from my time in the float pool, I quickly learned that it is completely different when you go from nurse to patient.
Michelle really proved herself as an outstanding nurse when she helped me through one of the most difficult days I've ever had. The night shift nurse (kudos to her as well) came to take my newborn to the nursery for her weight check and vital signs and came back to say that her heartbeat was irregular, which it hadn't been prior. Fast forward to later in the morning and the pediatrician was keeping my daughter in the nursery for continuous heart rate monitoring and pulse ox readings. She had an EKG done, twice, while she was in the nursery, and we continued to wait throughout the day for the pediatrician to determine whether she was comfortable discharging her or watching her throughout the night. Even though I am a nurse and understood the reasoning behind the monitoring and EKGs, Michelle took the time to explain them to my husband. Michelle continued to frequently check on my daughter, and keep us well informed, as well as answering mine and my husband's many questions.
Later in the afternoon, the pediatrician called into my room to talk to me about where we were and that she felt more comfortable keeping my daughter overnight for monitoring, hoping to discharge her the next morning. Moments after that phone call, Michelle came into my room to check on me, knowing I would be upset about having to leave our baby overnight because I was being discharged that evening. She walked into my room, with me in tears, sat down next to me, gave me a hug, and let me have my moment. She helped me to take off my "nurse hat", put on my "mom hat", and not focus on the many scary scenarios that were running through my mind. She helped to reassure myself and my husband that our daughter was in the best place, would be continuously watched over, and that if she was at home, we wouldn't get much rest because we would be worrying about her.
Thankfully, our daughter had a great night and we were able to pick her up and take her home the next morning. She has since been cleared by her pediatrician and is a happy and healthy 4.5-month-old!