On May 4, 2011, Beth McNeill received news that she would be receiving a critically ill unstable patient, “J”, from the Labor and Delivery unit post operatively. This is very possibly the one area of the hospital that receiving a patient from can cause dread in the heart of even the most seasoned critical care nurse. In her usual fashion, Beth accepted this news with a positive attitude and began quickly to prepare the room for the patient and family. She immediately became concerned with the special accommodations she would need to make in caring for this critically ill, unstable new mother.
When J arrived to the CCU, she was intubated, restless, and anxious. Beth immediately began to care for her physical (clinical) needs and her emotional needs simultaneously. It became quickly evident that there would be more to this relationship between patient and nurse. Beth concerned herself with not only J’s physical condition, but with the emotional needs of her patient, the patient’s spouse and new baby. It wasn’t long before Beth recognized that J would not be able to focus on healing and rest, without having her baby present and an opportunity to bond. Of course, there are rules about newborns traveling through the hospital to the critical care unit. Our best intentions are always to provide very good care for all our patients. However, sometimes rules need to be flexible to meet the needs of our patients. And well, Beth made sure that her patient’s needs were met and she facilitated the all important visits between mother and baby. Even when J was unable to physically hold her newborn, Beth made sure baby had time in the room and that J knew she was there.
Beth spoke soothingly to the new mom and explained everything to her and encouraged her always. Many times Jwould become anxious or frustrated throughout her stay in CCU, Beth was the nurse who was able to comfort her when everything and everyone else could not. She volunteered to work extra shifts, doubled back with little time to herself between. She worked very closely with the OB staff to ensure regular (and long) visits for mom and baby. J had a rocky road and was in Critical Care for over a week, Beth worked every day J was in our unit. Beth was a patient advocate and stood her ground in the face of ‘policy’. Without a doubt she made a difference in the life of this patient and family.

Beth has maintained a friendship with J and her family and recently the baby celebrated her 1st birthday.

Since caring for J, Beth recognized a yearning to increase her personal scope of nursing practice. She has since begun to cross-train to Labor and Delivery. I’m not sure who benefitted more from the relationship, J and her family or Beth, but I know that both of their lives are fuller because of it.