May 2013
Julie
Kerr
,
RN
NICU
UnityPoint Health - Des Moines
Des Moines
,
IA
United States
Julie Kerr took care of my daughter in the NICU for three weeks after she was born six weeks early. While 23 days is short to some, it was very long and trying to us. During planning and pregnancy, no one anticipates this to be their birth experience, but when it's handed to you like a ton of bricks, you want nurses like Julie there to help you sort it out. It would not have been the positive experience it turned out to be if it wasn't for Julie. I firmly believe our daughter progressed better because of her care.
Julie was primarily our nurse during our stay, and very much an advocate for us. She is truly your health care system's walking, talking example of "patient- and family-centered care." Each morning, I would come in at 8 a.m., just in time for the baby's feeding. A huge sense of relief and joy came over me when I saw Julie at her bedside or her name listed on the marker board, as our nurse that day.
If the NICU has a blessing in disguise, it's the nurses, especially Julie. She taught us so much about breastfeeding, bottle feeding, reading cues and care for our daughter. She provided reading material and teaching handouts when needed. These were great tools I was able to share with my husband when he arrived each evening after work. When I struggled with nursing, she was quick to find the wonderful lactation consultant to come by and talk with me. Although she didn't make it obvious, I know she made special attempts to honor private time for my husband and me, as if she understood that many of those precious moments most parents get to have in the first few days after birth, were not privy to us at the time.
Not only did she provide exceptional care to our daughter, she provided care to me, a new mom. She was a real person with whom I could have real conversations and laughs. I'd like to also recognize Pam and Dawn who cared for Kylie and taught us so much. If there is a DAISY Team award, it should be given to these three. I could leave at night and rest easy knowing Pam was there. And Dawn, who added a special touch and uplifting flare to just about everything she did! I would be honored to recommend Julie for this award.
Julie was primarily our nurse during our stay, and very much an advocate for us. She is truly your health care system's walking, talking example of "patient- and family-centered care." Each morning, I would come in at 8 a.m., just in time for the baby's feeding. A huge sense of relief and joy came over me when I saw Julie at her bedside or her name listed on the marker board, as our nurse that day.
If the NICU has a blessing in disguise, it's the nurses, especially Julie. She taught us so much about breastfeeding, bottle feeding, reading cues and care for our daughter. She provided reading material and teaching handouts when needed. These were great tools I was able to share with my husband when he arrived each evening after work. When I struggled with nursing, she was quick to find the wonderful lactation consultant to come by and talk with me. Although she didn't make it obvious, I know she made special attempts to honor private time for my husband and me, as if she understood that many of those precious moments most parents get to have in the first few days after birth, were not privy to us at the time.
Not only did she provide exceptional care to our daughter, she provided care to me, a new mom. She was a real person with whom I could have real conversations and laughs. I'd like to also recognize Pam and Dawn who cared for Kylie and taught us so much. If there is a DAISY Team award, it should be given to these three. I could leave at night and rest easy knowing Pam was there. And Dawn, who added a special touch and uplifting flare to just about everything she did! I would be honored to recommend Julie for this award.