Terri McLean is a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) Charge Nurse who exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding nurse and role model to others in the community. One of our families in the NICU was experiencing severe financial difficulties. A young mother of a preterm infant, who had delivered less than a week prior, had been sleeping in her car so that she could visit her baby and breast feed as often as possible. Finances and distance prevented her from traveling back and forth from the hospital to home. These young parents were very dedicated to providing the best care that they could for their baby and visited frequently to hold her and help with her feedings and care. We had Social Workers and other staff trying to assist this family but we were unable to offer them housing or a room in the hospital. When Terri talked with this family and discovered their circumstances, she decided to call around to area hotels, find a room and pay for a few nights out of her own funds.
This inspired the staff to help contribute to this family. Reverend Trujillo was contacted and spoke with Terri, he was able to help channel the funds offered to assist in finding a temporary hotel room for them while their baby was still in the hospital. In addition to helping this young family, it came to Terri’s attention that the grandmother of the infant had not been home for several days and didn’t have her medication. In talking with the grandmother she found that she was also a Kaiser Permanente member, so Terri called down to the pharmacy and arranged for the grandmother to get some emergency medication supplies.
Terri consistently goes above and beyond her regular duties and embraces the whole family with her service and compassion. Her professionalism and caring, positive attitude are infectious and facilitate a culture of holistic care for our families.