June 2013
Sue
Segnit
,
RN, RNC-NIC
NICU
White Plains Hospital
White Plains
,
NY
United States
It is without reservation, that I nominate a very special colleague for the DAISY Award. I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Sue Segnit for the last 17 years in the NICU at White Plains Hospital. I have always known Sue to be a skilled and knowledgeable RN, the coworker you looked forward to working with. No matter how difficult the day, Sue has the magical ability to put a smile on all around her. It was however, what I witnessed on a particularly difficult night that allowed me to have a glimpse at Sue's amazing soul, her endless capacity for caring and an unending desire to ease the burden for her suffering patients. I realized that night that Sue was not just a wonderful nurse, but an Extraordinary Nurse. I will share with you a story about a sweet baby boy who left this earth way too soon but was immensely blessed that Sue was at White Plains Hospital to comfort his Mom and Dad in their time of greatest sorrow.
If one were to read the mission statement of White Plains Hospital, it is clear that the primary mission is to offer high quality acute healthcare and preventive medical care to all people who live in, work in or visit Westchester County and surrounding areas. In support of this mission, Dr. Jaile-Marti and his team in the NICU developed a neonatal high-risk transport team several years ago. Acutely ill newborn infants are transported to our facility when they require a higher level of care than can be offered at their facility. Several weeks ago, the transport team was called to pick up a sick infant from one of our referring hospitals and we anticipated a fairly routine transport. What we arrived to find was a very sick little boy and we had to stabilize the infant for several hours. His problems were profound and it became clear shortly after his arrival here at White Plains Hospital that congenital anomalies would ultimately cause his untimely passing despite the intensive care provided.
The parents were kept apprised of the gravity of their baby boy's condition and her hospital released the mom at the six hour mark post-delivery. They traveled the long and terrifying journey to White Plains Hospital praying the baby would still be alive when they arrived. The transport physicians and nurses were positively drained from our tireless efforts to resuscitate, stabilize and transport this beautiful baby. Knowing what was in the balance and the likely outcome for this sweet baby took an emotional toll on each one of us privileged to care for him. However, we were keenly aware that we had yet to face what would be perhaps our greatest challenge, helping these young parents say good-bye to the precious baby boy.
It was at that moment that Sue Segnit (our full time day nurse) walked into the NICU at 0100, with what seemed to be a glow of light surrounding her. You see, Sue is not only a senior member of our NICU staff, but Sue is also the coordinator of our bereavement team. The night staff had sought guidance from Sue by phone knowing the baby's pending passing. Everyone in our unit knew that Sue was always available for counsel, guidance or simply words of support. What we did not expect that particular evening was that Sue would feel the calling to be by the parent's side in their time of grief. Although not required to do so, shortly after putting he own sick school age son to bed, Sue got herself into a pair of scrubs and took the hour long journey to White Plains Hospital. When she walked through the doors, unannounced, we felt that an angel had just appeared.
Sue was our angel, our baby boy's angel and most importantly, Mom and Dad's angel. We were all amazed at the unselfish gesture of Sue being here for the parents, we were equally amazed that Sue felt compelled to be here for us, her colleagues, and for the hospital she had loved for over 30 years which mission of providing care in a compassionate and caring manner she has lived daily. She was a glowing example of a dedicated nurse and a true mentor and role model to our young night staff many of whom are in the very early stages of their careers.
Sue went to work with the finesse of one who had confidence in her skills, the wisdom of years of experience, an abundance of empathy, respect and the knowledge to guide these parents down a path both unfamiliar and unexpected.
Sue, always reluctant to acknowledge praise, received a beautiful letter from the parents thanking her for the kindness and compassion at the most difficult time in their young lives. She made a difference in the life of the beautiful baby boy, the life of her colleagues and most importantly, her presence certainly made a difference and shaped how these young parents would accept the passing of their baby boy and how they would continue to grieve and carry on long after they walked out of White Plains Hospital.
If one were to read the mission statement of White Plains Hospital, it is clear that the primary mission is to offer high quality acute healthcare and preventive medical care to all people who live in, work in or visit Westchester County and surrounding areas. In support of this mission, Dr. Jaile-Marti and his team in the NICU developed a neonatal high-risk transport team several years ago. Acutely ill newborn infants are transported to our facility when they require a higher level of care than can be offered at their facility. Several weeks ago, the transport team was called to pick up a sick infant from one of our referring hospitals and we anticipated a fairly routine transport. What we arrived to find was a very sick little boy and we had to stabilize the infant for several hours. His problems were profound and it became clear shortly after his arrival here at White Plains Hospital that congenital anomalies would ultimately cause his untimely passing despite the intensive care provided.
The parents were kept apprised of the gravity of their baby boy's condition and her hospital released the mom at the six hour mark post-delivery. They traveled the long and terrifying journey to White Plains Hospital praying the baby would still be alive when they arrived. The transport physicians and nurses were positively drained from our tireless efforts to resuscitate, stabilize and transport this beautiful baby. Knowing what was in the balance and the likely outcome for this sweet baby took an emotional toll on each one of us privileged to care for him. However, we were keenly aware that we had yet to face what would be perhaps our greatest challenge, helping these young parents say good-bye to the precious baby boy.
It was at that moment that Sue Segnit (our full time day nurse) walked into the NICU at 0100, with what seemed to be a glow of light surrounding her. You see, Sue is not only a senior member of our NICU staff, but Sue is also the coordinator of our bereavement team. The night staff had sought guidance from Sue by phone knowing the baby's pending passing. Everyone in our unit knew that Sue was always available for counsel, guidance or simply words of support. What we did not expect that particular evening was that Sue would feel the calling to be by the parent's side in their time of grief. Although not required to do so, shortly after putting he own sick school age son to bed, Sue got herself into a pair of scrubs and took the hour long journey to White Plains Hospital. When she walked through the doors, unannounced, we felt that an angel had just appeared.
Sue was our angel, our baby boy's angel and most importantly, Mom and Dad's angel. We were all amazed at the unselfish gesture of Sue being here for the parents, we were equally amazed that Sue felt compelled to be here for us, her colleagues, and for the hospital she had loved for over 30 years which mission of providing care in a compassionate and caring manner she has lived daily. She was a glowing example of a dedicated nurse and a true mentor and role model to our young night staff many of whom are in the very early stages of their careers.
Sue went to work with the finesse of one who had confidence in her skills, the wisdom of years of experience, an abundance of empathy, respect and the knowledge to guide these parents down a path both unfamiliar and unexpected.
Sue, always reluctant to acknowledge praise, received a beautiful letter from the parents thanking her for the kindness and compassion at the most difficult time in their young lives. She made a difference in the life of the beautiful baby boy, the life of her colleagues and most importantly, her presence certainly made a difference and shaped how these young parents would accept the passing of their baby boy and how they would continue to grieve and carry on long after they walked out of White Plains Hospital.