shari weise, RN, NNCP

On a very busy day in the NICU, we received a baby to watch over as the mother had been taken to the OR for emergency surgery. Because our census was so high we had to place this baby in an open area of our unit that is without any privacy. The father had been up all night and was very worried about his wife. Shari was the baby's nurse and demonstrated unusual concern and compassion toward this father. She rearranged beds and equipment and placed the baby in a somewhat quiet corner, got a comfortable chair and pillow for the father, dimmed the lights and placed a screen around them to give the dad a little privacy and an opportunity to take a much needed nap. All this was done while taking care of her other babies, helping with admissions and maintaining a cheerful, positive attitude in the midst of a very stressful situation. What impressed me most though was her kindness in an extraordinary nurse who made a difference in this father's life.