Nikki Lunsford
July 2024
Nikki
Lunsford
,
ADN, RNC-NIC
NICU
Atrium Health Pineville
Charlotte
,
NC
United States
In that moment of distress, seeing her gave me comfort, seeing a familiar face and knowing that my baby was in good hands.
Both of my sons had to go to the Pineville NICU. My oldest went to NICU in 2021 due to being premature at 34 weeks. This is where we first met Nikki. I was a terrified new mom whose baby had come early, and I was going through so many emotions. She showed such compassion during our son's time in the NICU. Nikki knew any time that I was away from the NICU during his care time that I was going to call and see how he did, so much so that she would contact me and tell me how he was doing and encourage me to take care of myself and get some sleep. She would even stop by our son's room on days when he wasn't her patient and check in on us and see how he was doing. She made his stay in the NICU bearable because we knew he was in good hands.
While we thought our time with her and the NICU would end with our son's discharge (other than visits to the unit after discharge), we met with her again after the birth of our second son born in October of 2023. This time around, our NICU stay was unexpected as he was full term. I had reached out to her prior to my scheduled c-section to let her know that we were having another baby, and that his sibling would be visiting to meet his brother, and we would love to see her if she was working.
Unfortunately, this son also had to be taken to the NICU unexpectedly. While Nikki was working that day, she came to the OR to help take care of our new baby. She came over to me and reassured me that he was in good hands, and they were going to take great care of him.
In that moment of distress, seeing her gave me comfort, seeing a familiar face and knowing that my baby was in good hands. Nikki continued to show not only our baby but also my husband and me wonderful and compassionate care throughout his NICU stay. Having such a great nurse take care of both of my children has made me a better nurse for the patients and families that I care for. I strive to give excellent and compassionate care to my patients as she gave to our family. While we are thankful to the entire NICU team at Pineville, she will always hold a special place in our hearts. We will forever be thankful for her and consider her family.
While we thought our time with her and the NICU would end with our son's discharge (other than visits to the unit after discharge), we met with her again after the birth of our second son born in October of 2023. This time around, our NICU stay was unexpected as he was full term. I had reached out to her prior to my scheduled c-section to let her know that we were having another baby, and that his sibling would be visiting to meet his brother, and we would love to see her if she was working.
Unfortunately, this son also had to be taken to the NICU unexpectedly. While Nikki was working that day, she came to the OR to help take care of our new baby. She came over to me and reassured me that he was in good hands, and they were going to take great care of him.
In that moment of distress, seeing her gave me comfort, seeing a familiar face and knowing that my baby was in good hands. Nikki continued to show not only our baby but also my husband and me wonderful and compassionate care throughout his NICU stay. Having such a great nurse take care of both of my children has made me a better nurse for the patients and families that I care for. I strive to give excellent and compassionate care to my patients as she gave to our family. While we are thankful to the entire NICU team at Pineville, she will always hold a special place in our hearts. We will forever be thankful for her and consider her family.