shannon rusch, RN

A few weeks ago, Shannon took on a very challenging patient assignment. Shannon was caring for a 16-year-old, first-time mom who had a rocky past of battling homelessness, the foster care system, and child protective services. Shannon went into her day with no judgment, she cared for this patient and her newborn, and was preparing them for discharge. Shannon was constantly praising this mom for the wonderful care she was providing her baby and was very supportive of this mom caring for her baby independently. However, Shannon learned that the decision was already made to separate the mom and baby due to her past social situations. This decision simply did not sit well with Shannon. She made her case to the family services worker that it was in mom and baby's best interest to stay together. She suggested many solutions, such as a foster home for the two of them or a group home for teenage moms. The family services worker was not open to these options, so Shannon kept pleading her case. After many trying conversations and no changes, Shannon thought there was nothing else she could do. But a few hours later, to everyone's surprise, the family services worker called Shannon back and said she was reconsidering the case. She thanked Shannon multiple times for her diligent care and advocacy for what she thought was best for the patients. With the support of the caseworker, the mom and baby ended up being allowed to stay one extra night inpatient and were discharged to a foster home together the next day. All of us on the Mother-Baby unit believe Shannon truly shaped the lives of her patients that day.