Dear NICU Nurse

Dear NICU Nurses,

As a mom to two miraculous preemies who both had their own journey in the NICU, I am extremely grateful to the wonderful nurses who took care of my sons. There is no way I could have survived a combined 167 days in the NICU without them. NICU nurses are such a huge part in the NICU, as parents see them more than they see the doctors. They are irreplaceable and made the whole experience brighter during such a dark time in our lives.

Thank you for showing me how to properly “scrub in” when entering the NICU that very first day. I’ll never forget feeling so lost and scared on what to do but you were right there guiding me along the way. I never knew it was such a process to clean my hands but if you are a NICU parent, you know what I’m talking about.

To the nurse who was there when I saw my son in person for the first time in his isolette, thank you for remaining completely cool and calm while I uncontrollably (and unknowingly) sobbed as I saw my teeny tiny 1lb son. You answered all of my questions in between my tears and reassured me how everything was going to be OK.

To the nurse who placed my son on my chest for kangaroo care for the first time, you gave me one of the best gifts of my life. Thank you for being so gentle and patient with me. The anxiety over holding a premature baby on your chest hooked up to multiple machines is rather scary but you were there to encourage me to do so. 

Holidays in the hospital are especially hard but I’m so thankful to the nurses who went out of their way to make my baby’s first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. a memorable one. To placing my son in a pumpkin bucket, making a turkey out of his footprints and even taking a picture with Santa Clause; these nurses documented milestones for me that I’ll have forever.

And I will never forget the nurses who made my boys at home feel so special. One nurse sent him ornaments for my then 3 year old son to decorate and we hung them on his isolette. Another nurse gave my sons pumpkins and then hung them in his room. It was such a personal touch to make them feel involved during such a weird time for them. They would also send home the size diaper our baby was currently in, we still have them to this day.

I can’t thank each and every nurse enough that had such a positive impact on our lives. Thank you for being there when I couldn’t. From holding my baby when they were fussy, making sure they had clean bedding, taking pictures for me; I could go on and on. As my sons get older, my memories of their time in the NICU don’t fade. They are filled with the incredible nurses who provided exceptional care and treated us like family. Our family has so much appreciation for the nurses that took care of our sons. Thank you, for everything.

Love,
A NICU Mom

Mary Olivio
Mary is a caffeine addicted boy mom to Noah, Liam and Luke. This “stay at home” mom can typically been found cruising in her minivan, jamming to Beyonce with a Starbucks in hand on her way to carpool or after school activities. Mary has been married to her high school sweetheart since 2007. She is a founder of Delivering Hope NOLA and the Vanessa Wolff Scholarship Fund at her Alma Mater. Mary is passionate in the local preemie community and has been heavily involved with the March of Dimes since her sons Liam and Luke were born premature.

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