Mikaela Suggs
August 2020
Mikaela
Suggs
,
BSN, RN
NICU
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
The next thing I know, Mikaela came in with supplies and paper to help me get hand and footprints as a keepsake. Throughout our entire stay, her actions were so intentional and genuine.
Mikaelahas always gone the extra mile for myself and my daughter S. From the first night she was S's nurse, she was attentive to detail, calm, confident, and gentle. On our first night with Mikaela, S was very fussy, andMikaela was so gentle and helpful to me in comforting her all night long. That same night, after only having S as her patient for about an hour, she quickly observed a slight change in S's skin color and immediately notified the nurse practitioner.
As a nervous new NICU mom, I instantly felt comfortable withMikaela caring for S. Throughout our entire stay, no matter how busy she was,Mikaela always made us feel like S was her only patient. During nights when S was fussy and awake for long hours,Mikaela would come in and just say, "Let me hold her and you lay down." I never had to ask for help, she was always there to offer and give us her undivided time and attention.
Aside from providing excellent nursing care to S,Mikaela did more than that to make me feel comfortable and bring a smile to my face. Being a NICU mom, in general, was stressful but being a NICU mom during a global pandemic without physical support from family and friends could be isolating at times.Mikaela put forth extra effort to spend time having normal conversations with me, aside from medical talk about S, which was something I needed during this time. We talked about anything from our families and friends to hobbies and favorite snacks. Then the next shift,Mikaela brought in her favorite cookies she had told me about. I was often buying extra water in the cafeteria to keep stocked at night, then one night I came back in the room to a pack of water and M&Ms waiting for me from Mikaela.
Also, as many moms know, we are always taking pictures of our kids but don't have many pictures of us with our kids - then there wasMikaela again, coming in and saying, "Let me take some pictures of you two."
On another occasion,Mikaela had asked if we had gotten S's footprints to save for a baby book, but since S was requiring quick medical assessment and hospital transfer after birth, we hadn't. The next thing I know,Mikaela came in with supplies and paper to help me get hand and footprints as a keepsake. Throughout our entire stay, her actions were so intentional and genuine. Along with providing excellent medical care, Mikaela's naturally kind and thoughtful spirit made a huge impact on us during our hospital stay. Sometimes it's the smallest things that go the longest way, and the relationship we built withMikaela will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
As a nervous new NICU mom, I instantly felt comfortable withMikaela caring for S. Throughout our entire stay, no matter how busy she was,Mikaela always made us feel like S was her only patient. During nights when S was fussy and awake for long hours,Mikaela would come in and just say, "Let me hold her and you lay down." I never had to ask for help, she was always there to offer and give us her undivided time and attention.
Aside from providing excellent nursing care to S,Mikaela did more than that to make me feel comfortable and bring a smile to my face. Being a NICU mom, in general, was stressful but being a NICU mom during a global pandemic without physical support from family and friends could be isolating at times.Mikaela put forth extra effort to spend time having normal conversations with me, aside from medical talk about S, which was something I needed during this time. We talked about anything from our families and friends to hobbies and favorite snacks. Then the next shift,Mikaela brought in her favorite cookies she had told me about. I was often buying extra water in the cafeteria to keep stocked at night, then one night I came back in the room to a pack of water and M&Ms waiting for me from Mikaela.
Also, as many moms know, we are always taking pictures of our kids but don't have many pictures of us with our kids - then there wasMikaela again, coming in and saying, "Let me take some pictures of you two."
On another occasion,Mikaela had asked if we had gotten S's footprints to save for a baby book, but since S was requiring quick medical assessment and hospital transfer after birth, we hadn't. The next thing I know,Mikaela came in with supplies and paper to help me get hand and footprints as a keepsake. Throughout our entire stay, her actions were so intentional and genuine. Along with providing excellent medical care, Mikaela's naturally kind and thoughtful spirit made a huge impact on us during our hospital stay. Sometimes it's the smallest things that go the longest way, and the relationship we built withMikaela will forever hold a special place in our hearts.