As a NICU nurse, dealing with death is, unfortunately, a part of the job. Baptizing, disconnecting the machines and equipment for the families to hold, bathing, and dressing these babies are among some of the most difficult tasks we are asked to complete. In these moments, I struggle with either crying with the family or trying to be strong for them in their moments of suffering. And while these situations are difficult, they are brief. One day, I had a moment of clarity when I heard about what a nurse, Yazmin Casiano from the MBU 9th floor did for a family. What I hadn't realized is that the pressure and burden for support for these heartbroken families lie primarily with the team upstairs. These nurses talk and cry with these mothers and fathers and extended families for hours and days after they leave us. These families leave the NICU missing a piece of their heart and the nurses must help them heal their hearts and bodies at the same time. I cannot imagine the feeling of being constantly torn with crying and being strong and supportive for these families.
A baby was born at 28 weeks. The mother had been ruptured for some time and the infant was quite sick. After extensive treatment and intervention, the baby, unfortunately, passed away early the next morning. The mother was at the bedside and elected to hold the baby. The father was not able to make it on time but was on his way. This poor mother was left grieving without her husband. Yazmin was her nurse upstairs. The mother, herself, was also sick and septic. Important blood work was ordered for the time the mother was holding her dying baby.
Yazmin took it upon herself to gather all her supplies and, after discussing it with the NICU nurse, she decided to draw the labs while the mother was still holding the baby. She brought her water and ice and did everything she needed to do to care for the mom while also being sensitive to the situation. Yazmin came out of her comfort zone, her unit, and went above and beyond for that mother. In this horrible situation, Yazmin decided to make things just a little bit easier for not only the NICU team but that mother spending her last few hours with her child. The qualities that stand out to me the most that Yazmin displayed in this situation are the genuine compassion she had for this mother and the autonomy to draw labs unconventionally in another unit on her patient. The genuine kindness and empathy Yazmin displayed for this grieving family is the epitome of what makes a nurse special. She went above and beyond her call of duty to make a truly unimaginably terrible situation just a little easier. I am in awe of her compassion and I cannot thank her enough for her caring heart.