Karen Schuneman
January 2016
Karen
Schuneman
,
RN
NICU
Children's Minnesota
Minneapolis
,
MN
United States
I have seen Karen start up to 5 IV’s during her shift, draw labs, do an x-ray on a patient in isolation, while she keeps up with her two patient assignment, feeds babies and speaks with families.
Karen has been a nurse in the Minneapolis NICU for 14 years. Over the past year I have noticed how much Karen is utilized as our “go to” nurse in the NICU. Whether they are a seasoned veteran or a new grad, the nurses in the unit use Karen as a resource and ask her opinion and for her help. She is our number one gal to go to for IV placement – even the Nurse Practitioners will ask Karen to start IV’s on infants who have been stuck many times and are considered a hard IV stick.
I have seen Karen start up to 5 IV’s during her shift, draw labs, do an x-ray on a patient in isolation, while she keeps up with her two patient assignment, feeds babies and speaks with families. Karen takes patient assignments without complaint. When we have been extremely busy and need to pull nurses for an admit she routinely picks up extra patients to help out. When you thank her she says she is “just doing her job. No big deal.” But it is a big deal. Four patients in the NICU is a busy assignment. She cares for her patients and gets her work done. Parents love Karen! She has a bubbly personality and the gift of gab. She knows how to put a parent at ease and a smile on their face. She pulls no punches, and her honesty and assurances make parents feel comfortable enough to leave their critically ill baby to get some well needed rest.
Many parents return after discharge and bring their infants for a visit so Karen can see their progress. I have seen parents cry as a smile breaks out on their baby’s face like they remember Karen’s voice as she holds, baby talks and snuggles up to their child. The joy she brings to these families is priceless. Karen participates on various unit committees in the NICU. She is always working to improve our unit and the care we give our most critically ill infants and their families. We tend to take for granted the extraordinary nurses we work with on a daily basis. We know they are special, but because we are too busy, the gratitude we feel for their help and expertise sometimes gets left unsaid. I would like to thank Karen for her selfless giving of her time and knowledge to all of us in the NICU.
I have seen Karen start up to 5 IV’s during her shift, draw labs, do an x-ray on a patient in isolation, while she keeps up with her two patient assignment, feeds babies and speaks with families. Karen takes patient assignments without complaint. When we have been extremely busy and need to pull nurses for an admit she routinely picks up extra patients to help out. When you thank her she says she is “just doing her job. No big deal.” But it is a big deal. Four patients in the NICU is a busy assignment. She cares for her patients and gets her work done. Parents love Karen! She has a bubbly personality and the gift of gab. She knows how to put a parent at ease and a smile on their face. She pulls no punches, and her honesty and assurances make parents feel comfortable enough to leave their critically ill baby to get some well needed rest.
Many parents return after discharge and bring their infants for a visit so Karen can see their progress. I have seen parents cry as a smile breaks out on their baby’s face like they remember Karen’s voice as she holds, baby talks and snuggles up to their child. The joy she brings to these families is priceless. Karen participates on various unit committees in the NICU. She is always working to improve our unit and the care we give our most critically ill infants and their families. We tend to take for granted the extraordinary nurses we work with on a daily basis. We know they are special, but because we are too busy, the gratitude we feel for their help and expertise sometimes gets left unsaid. I would like to thank Karen for her selfless giving of her time and knowledge to all of us in the NICU.