As a labor and delivery/mother-baby/nursery nurse the perception is you have the "greatest job in the world." Many times, we do have the greatest job in the world. We get to watch new life come into the world and families grow every day. We are present for some of the most memorable and life-changing moments in the lives of parents. Unfortunately, this "beautiful time" doesn't always go as expected. Parents must hear words that no parent should ever have to hear "something is wrong with the baby" or "the baby may not survive".
Through the fault of no one, a very new and young set of parents were faced with hearing these words about their 2-hour old brand new big baby boy. The neonatologist went into the room to talk with these parents. As she was talking with them about the critical condition of their beautiful baby boy she spoke the words that no parent should ever have to hear "I need to be honest with you and let you know that there is a chance that your baby may not survive the transport to the children's hospital." Upon hearing these words, the father of the baby began to get very angry and immediately stormed out of the room, slamming the door. I followed behind him, assuring the safety of the unit. In passing, I told nurse Pam, "He just got word his baby may not survive". Without skipping a beat Pam's instincts took over and she followed the father out the doors to the elevator saying, "come back here".
Pam and I followed this father to the elevators. He was very upset and angry. Pam followed her heart and grabbed the father and hugged. He was reluctant at first to accept a hug in his anger and from a stranger. Pam hugged him even tighter as he attempted to leave the floor. As I watched in awe, I listened to Pam say exactly what this father needed to hear at this time. "Come back here, we need to go back in that room, your baby and that momma need you!" As she looked him in the eye and continued to repeat these words the father broke down and not only accepted the hug but hugged Pam back and broke down into a full cry of heartbreak. Pam continued to embrace him at those elevators as they cried together. Pam walked with her arm around this father back to the room.
Pam was in the right place at the right time and did exactly what he gut told her to do, not knowing how this young father would react. Many nurses would not be brave enough or have enough care to do what her heart told her to do. Had it not been for Pam, this father may have left the hospital. He may have not been able to be at the children's hospital as his beautiful baby boy passed away later that night. Pam was a perfect example of a nurse going above and beyond in a stressful situation. Had it not been for her intervening with this father the situation could have ended very differently.