September 2015
Shannon
Baker
,
BSN, RN
NICU
Cincinnati Children's Medical Center
Cincinnati
,
OH
United States
Our grandson was in the NICU for 4 1/2 months after being born with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. He was admitted to the NICU and placed on ECMO the day he was born. Shannon was one of the first nurses who cared for him. From the beginning, Shannon displayed excellent clinical knowledge and nursing skills. My daughter and son-in-law could relax anytime she was on duty, as they completely trusted the excellent clinical judgment and care Shannon administered to their son/my grandson. This was always important, but especially in the early days of his hospitalization, when his survival and outcome were truly unknown from hour to hour then day to day.
Shannon's smile and confidence truly touched our hearts at a time when, as a family, we were all anxious and hurting. Shannon became one of his first primary care nurses. Beyond her knowledge and skills, Shannon was always kind and caring, professional yet compassionate, going above and beyond to make sure his every need was being attended to. We will always be thankful for the incredible care he received overall from Children's NICU, but Shannon was truly a shining light for us during an extremely difficult time. I will be eternally grateful for the nursing professional that she was to our child.
Anytime my daughter and son-in-law had a question about his care or prognosis, Shannon would either have an answer for their question, or would find the answer they were searching for from his APN or one of the physicians on the CDH team. She was never in a hurry, always taking the time to ask how we were doing, or if we needed anything. Shannon had a "can-do" type of attitude, helping his mommy and daddy feel comfortable with beginning to care for him themselves (i.e., diaper changes, bathing, etc) as he began to heal from his CDH repair and his pulmonary hypertension stabilized. She truly instilled confidence in my daughter and son-in-law that they were more than capable in caring for their son once they were able to take him home (which they were, and were incredibly well prepared for).
Shannon taught us how to suction, how to check his color and respirations since they would no longer have the hospital monitors to rely on. She taught them how to bathe him and encouraged them anytime she was on duty, as they planned for his eventual discharge. Shannon brought them pamphlets to read, and reviewed with them safety measures regarding his car seat. She instilled confidence in them, in their ability to administer medications and G-tube feedings to him once he was home.
The early days of my grandson's hospitalization, when he was on ECMO were frightening, to say the least. Shannon always assured us when he was doing well, and on days when he was struggling, she was honest but her answers still contained a message of hope, to which we were clinging.
Shannon was continually educating us about my grandson's care, explaining his G-tube care, and advocating for him during daily rounds. She encouraged us to have a voice during rounds, to be an active participant in their son's care. She truly listened to any concerns they voiced, and always explained anything she was doing for him. She would ask their opinion regarding his need for PRN medications, encouraging their input.
Shannon's smile and confidence truly touched our hearts at a time when, as a family, we were all anxious and hurting. Shannon became one of his first primary care nurses. Beyond her knowledge and skills, Shannon was always kind and caring, professional yet compassionate, going above and beyond to make sure his every need was being attended to. We will always be thankful for the incredible care he received overall from Children's NICU, but Shannon was truly a shining light for us during an extremely difficult time. I will be eternally grateful for the nursing professional that she was to our child.
Anytime my daughter and son-in-law had a question about his care or prognosis, Shannon would either have an answer for their question, or would find the answer they were searching for from his APN or one of the physicians on the CDH team. She was never in a hurry, always taking the time to ask how we were doing, or if we needed anything. Shannon had a "can-do" type of attitude, helping his mommy and daddy feel comfortable with beginning to care for him themselves (i.e., diaper changes, bathing, etc) as he began to heal from his CDH repair and his pulmonary hypertension stabilized. She truly instilled confidence in my daughter and son-in-law that they were more than capable in caring for their son once they were able to take him home (which they were, and were incredibly well prepared for).
Shannon taught us how to suction, how to check his color and respirations since they would no longer have the hospital monitors to rely on. She taught them how to bathe him and encouraged them anytime she was on duty, as they planned for his eventual discharge. Shannon brought them pamphlets to read, and reviewed with them safety measures regarding his car seat. She instilled confidence in them, in their ability to administer medications and G-tube feedings to him once he was home.
The early days of my grandson's hospitalization, when he was on ECMO were frightening, to say the least. Shannon always assured us when he was doing well, and on days when he was struggling, she was honest but her answers still contained a message of hope, to which we were clinging.
Shannon was continually educating us about my grandson's care, explaining his G-tube care, and advocating for him during daily rounds. She encouraged us to have a voice during rounds, to be an active participant in their son's care. She truly listened to any concerns they voiced, and always explained anything she was doing for him. She would ask their opinion regarding his need for PRN medications, encouraging their input.