Briana McCloskey
September 2021
Briana
Mccloskey
,
BSN, RN
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States
Mom took great comfort in knowing that while she wasn't emotionally able to stay, Briana would be with him and that gave her some peace.
If you ask anyone who has ever worked in a NICU they will tell you that there are days and moments that you will never forget. There are shifts that you can retell every single moment like it happened yesterday. There is no doubt in my mind that this was one of those days for Briana. She is one of the most outgoing and incredible nurses that I have had the privilege to work with. Her love for L went above and beyond. All nurses love their patients, but with this patient, this was a different love. She was always willing to get him out of bed regardless of how complex he was, so the family could hold him the handful of times they were able to. On some of his most difficult days, she was his nurse and loved on him and advocated for him so well.
On the day that he died, she had the honor of caring for him and his family and I think if you asked them, they would tell you that having her as their nurse brought them so much peace during one of their darkest days. All throughout the day she paid diligent attention to the patient and made sure he was as comfortable as possible while the family was with him. She helped facilitate the patient's big brother holding him for the first time. She continually provided support to the family while expertly walking the fine line to provide them privacy and make precious memories that will live on with them forever.
He was one of the first organ donation candidates that we have had in the NICU in a while, so a lot of the process was foreign to her and the staff, but she never batted an eye. When it came time to take him to the OR, she meticulously made sure everything was exactly as it should, he was comfortable, and she promised the family she would not leave his side. Herself, L's Mom, and the NICU social worker walked together supporting each other as they pushed L's bed through the unit for his honor walk on the way to the OR. While the Social Worker and his Mom went to the surgical waiting room, she remained with them in the OR tending to all of his needs and making sure the unfamiliar staff treated him with the same care that his NICU family would have. She remained at the patient's head, maintaining his medications, comfort levels and providing support. The tenderness and heartfelt emotion she showed in the OR was apparent to anyone and it showed that he wasn't just a room number, he was part of her heart.
His mom and Social Worker rejoined, and the patient was disconnected from the ventilator, and the pain of watching the monitor, waiting for the patient to pass began. While they sat by the head of his bed, she would gently stroke his head, telling him it was okay and we would take care of his mom. About an hour and a half after disconnecting the ventilator, Mom was unable to emotionally remain in the OR and asked that the Social Worker walk with her back to his room. Mom took great comfort in knowing that while she wasn't emotionally able to stay, Briana would be with him and that gave her some peace. The three embraced outside the OR and she returned to the patient's side.
After he passed, she brought him up to the floor for postmortem care. By this time, it was well past the end of her shift, but she remained to help with his care. The family has stated they have a special place for her in their hearts after she played such an important role in their lives and listening to her fondly recount stories about him and his family even a month after his passing, it is clear that she feels the same way. Briana goes above and beyond every single day and this is just one incredible example. She is a wonderful asset to the Children's Hospital NICU Team, and I am also so proud to call her a friend and a coworker.
On the day that he died, she had the honor of caring for him and his family and I think if you asked them, they would tell you that having her as their nurse brought them so much peace during one of their darkest days. All throughout the day she paid diligent attention to the patient and made sure he was as comfortable as possible while the family was with him. She helped facilitate the patient's big brother holding him for the first time. She continually provided support to the family while expertly walking the fine line to provide them privacy and make precious memories that will live on with them forever.
He was one of the first organ donation candidates that we have had in the NICU in a while, so a lot of the process was foreign to her and the staff, but she never batted an eye. When it came time to take him to the OR, she meticulously made sure everything was exactly as it should, he was comfortable, and she promised the family she would not leave his side. Herself, L's Mom, and the NICU social worker walked together supporting each other as they pushed L's bed through the unit for his honor walk on the way to the OR. While the Social Worker and his Mom went to the surgical waiting room, she remained with them in the OR tending to all of his needs and making sure the unfamiliar staff treated him with the same care that his NICU family would have. She remained at the patient's head, maintaining his medications, comfort levels and providing support. The tenderness and heartfelt emotion she showed in the OR was apparent to anyone and it showed that he wasn't just a room number, he was part of her heart.
His mom and Social Worker rejoined, and the patient was disconnected from the ventilator, and the pain of watching the monitor, waiting for the patient to pass began. While they sat by the head of his bed, she would gently stroke his head, telling him it was okay and we would take care of his mom. About an hour and a half after disconnecting the ventilator, Mom was unable to emotionally remain in the OR and asked that the Social Worker walk with her back to his room. Mom took great comfort in knowing that while she wasn't emotionally able to stay, Briana would be with him and that gave her some peace. The three embraced outside the OR and she returned to the patient's side.
After he passed, she brought him up to the floor for postmortem care. By this time, it was well past the end of her shift, but she remained to help with his care. The family has stated they have a special place for her in their hearts after she played such an important role in their lives and listening to her fondly recount stories about him and his family even a month after his passing, it is clear that she feels the same way. Briana goes above and beyond every single day and this is just one incredible example. She is a wonderful asset to the Children's Hospital NICU Team, and I am also so proud to call her a friend and a coworker.