NICU nursing is where my heart is.  I’ve been working a lot recently, thoroughly enjoying my patients and coworkers.  It has been great having the same patient(s) for several nights in a row.  I am able to acquire substantial knowledge to establish a strong baseline for my patients norms, get to know what the babies do and don’t like, what their parents are feeling and how they are coping with their tiny child in the hospital, in the NICU.  I like following and knowing the baby’s story from the very beginning.  Then I think you can really appreciate the progress, milestones and setbacks they are withstanding or have experienced.  These tiny miracles go through a lot, often times immediately when they exit the womb.

Last night at work I had the pleasure of caring for a teeny tiny little one who I absolutely adore.  As I held her in my hands, sitting up in her isolette, her big (tiny) eyes looked around at her grandfather, her mother.  Hands on her face, wiggling around.  Eyes closing, tired of me handling her and so ready to be tucked in and fed……  Her grandfather and mother race for their phones to take pictures because its way too cute to pass up for a photo op; Grandpa asks me something along the lines of “How rewarding is your job?” completely rhetorical, so much love in his voice as he watched his tiny granddaughter look around, sitting in my hands.  My heart was full of love for this little one.  I genuinely told him that I love, love my job.  I love his granddaughter (hard to not love such a peanut when you spend 12 hours at a time with her) and I love working with them as a family.  She is my girl!

How blessed is this life that I am able to go to work and care for these tiny miracles?  To be able to get to know and love them.  To have the privilege of caring for these small humans, often times more than their own parents?  It is such a joy.  Feeling overwhelmed with blessings and love for what I do.  To be able to participate in some people’s life at this most fragile state and under stressful circumstances has taught me a lot about patience, perspective and advocacy.  I know I have a lot more to learn about being a NICU nurse – I cannot wait for the many more tiny miracles I am able to meet and care for.