A family's premature daughter was given a fatal prognosis after attempting emergency surgical intervention. The mother was informed as soon as the surgeon realized the prognosis and the baby was transported back to the Neonatal ICU. Our NICU delivery nurse for the day, Emily Jones, was with the mother for support outside the unit as our neonatologist discussed the findings & options with the mother. The mother's grief was understandably overwhelming.

Emily escorted the mother to her daughter's bedside, so she could hold her daughter for the very first and last time. The mother was alone at the bedside. Emily asked the mom who we could call or get for her so she would not be alone. The mother said her husband was in the waiting room but could not come in the unit because no one else was here to watch their two young girls who were with them. Emily volunteered to sit with their girls in the waiting room so the husband & wife could be together with their dying little girl.

Emily stayed past her scheduled shift to remain with the two girls until another family member could arrive to care for them.