A staff nurse in NICU Bay 1, Myrna performs simple acts for every family. It is these routine actions that make all the difference to a parent, grandparent, or family member. The thoughtful and immediate acknowledgement of their new role is often expressed with a warm smile and a "congratulations on the birth of your baby." This is one of the most normalizing expressions when your world has just been turned upside-down. In a NICU, parents may be limited on the hands-on contact that they crave. Myrna coaxes parents to assist in the "cares" and spends unlimited attention to their needs and questions, all while maintaining a positive outlook and empathy.
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I want to recognize to Myrna, my baby's first nurse in NICU Bay 1. That first day, I was quite scared and concerned about my little, barely-two-pound baby; my baby that I couldn't hold, kiss or cuddle. During my baby's "cares," Myrna needed to do a weighing and asked if I wanted to hold him up off the bed so she could zero the bed out. I was ecstatic. I went to lower my baby down and she said, "Wait! First, you have to give him a kiss." I kissed the side of his head and teared up; I got to kiss and touch my baby. That moment meant more to me than she will ever know. Thank you, Myrna.