Samah Boullaouz
February 2025
Samah
Boullaouz
,
BSN, RN, C-EFM
Labor & Delivery
AdventHealth Shawnee Mission
Merriam
,
KS
United States
I think this nurse has a bright future as a nurse, patient advocate, and mentor to other nurses in terms of onboarding them. Her empathy, nurturing skills, and intelligence are SO identifiable from the start.
As a nurse or patient knows, during such an important time as the imminent delivery of a baby, the patient becomes reliant on their nurse as they get closer to the delivery. When a new nurse takes over at a shift change, that transition can be scary!
The first thing I noticed (within 5 minutes) when she took over for the prior nurse, she immediately introduced herself, let her know her role, reassured (my daughter) A that she would be there to support her in whatever plan she and D had for their delivery - that any concerns or worries were hers to bear and that she wanted to create an environment that A could focus on the baby and she would help her in all matters that would be needed.
She asked A if she wanted details about what she’d be doing or not - as some moms want to know everything and some, nothing at all! That was a great question! I looked at A right away and said, “She is a great educator and will be great”.
This nurse was able to move about her duties with ease and confidence while talking to A. She was efficient with straightening the bed and all that entails in terms of getting A rearranged, repositioned, unbundling sheets and Chux, getting her water closer, moving items around the room, working with the IV’s, getting the “peanut ball” near, helping her to the bathroom, getting warm blankets for all of us, recording information on the computer without losing her concentration or ability to talk to A and D all the while..
She was friendly, relatable, encouraging and reassuring when A needed reinforcement that things were progressing as they should. She was honest about any risks or complications related to procedures that may occur and let A know that she was in a place where resources were available should complications arise. She was playful and would say, “You don’t worry!” and she’d make A laugh!
She was willing to try anything that A requested in terms of positioning during active delivery, showing no change of tone in her voice or attempts at deterring her from the idea unless it would compromise the baby. She would explain the reasoning if something wasn’t prudent to do at the time. This nurse sought help from other night nurses to help her with any positioning or other issues (A had an epidural). Those that came in were all so upbeat and cheered both A and D and the baby that they couldn’t wait to meet her!
She also did something completely impressive. She was deciding what to do while the baby was having some difficulty with certain contractions and the heartbeat dropping. She brought one of the nurses in, and they were discussing a strategy between themselves (reassuring A what they were considering). She introduced us to one nurse specifically, and I asked if she was her supervisor. Both said it was common that they would talk together about strategies and to validate the main nurse’s idea. I thought that this was an amazing example of nurses using their collaborative skills to support each other and together help the patient towards a positive outcome. I was completely impressed.
Anyway, to not babble on, I think this nurse has a bright future as a nurse, patient advocate, and mentor to other nurses in terms of onboarding them. Her empathy, nurturing skills, and intelligence are SO identifiable from the start. Having been a nurse myself for over 40 years, a bright, loving, smart, and resourceful nurse like her shone like a star. She certainly reminds me of the joy a daisy brings as a first sign of Spring. Alex delivered shortly after shifts had changed, however she was still there charting. She immediately came in with the fanfare to congratulate them and share in the joy! That was such a sincere gesture.
It is times and people like this that I will never forget. Especially being a protective mother of A, but also a grandmother praying for a healthy grandchild. Samah felt like an answered prayer for me.
The first thing I noticed (within 5 minutes) when she took over for the prior nurse, she immediately introduced herself, let her know her role, reassured (my daughter) A that she would be there to support her in whatever plan she and D had for their delivery - that any concerns or worries were hers to bear and that she wanted to create an environment that A could focus on the baby and she would help her in all matters that would be needed.
She asked A if she wanted details about what she’d be doing or not - as some moms want to know everything and some, nothing at all! That was a great question! I looked at A right away and said, “She is a great educator and will be great”.
This nurse was able to move about her duties with ease and confidence while talking to A. She was efficient with straightening the bed and all that entails in terms of getting A rearranged, repositioned, unbundling sheets and Chux, getting her water closer, moving items around the room, working with the IV’s, getting the “peanut ball” near, helping her to the bathroom, getting warm blankets for all of us, recording information on the computer without losing her concentration or ability to talk to A and D all the while..
She was friendly, relatable, encouraging and reassuring when A needed reinforcement that things were progressing as they should. She was honest about any risks or complications related to procedures that may occur and let A know that she was in a place where resources were available should complications arise. She was playful and would say, “You don’t worry!” and she’d make A laugh!
She was willing to try anything that A requested in terms of positioning during active delivery, showing no change of tone in her voice or attempts at deterring her from the idea unless it would compromise the baby. She would explain the reasoning if something wasn’t prudent to do at the time. This nurse sought help from other night nurses to help her with any positioning or other issues (A had an epidural). Those that came in were all so upbeat and cheered both A and D and the baby that they couldn’t wait to meet her!
She also did something completely impressive. She was deciding what to do while the baby was having some difficulty with certain contractions and the heartbeat dropping. She brought one of the nurses in, and they were discussing a strategy between themselves (reassuring A what they were considering). She introduced us to one nurse specifically, and I asked if she was her supervisor. Both said it was common that they would talk together about strategies and to validate the main nurse’s idea. I thought that this was an amazing example of nurses using their collaborative skills to support each other and together help the patient towards a positive outcome. I was completely impressed.
Anyway, to not babble on, I think this nurse has a bright future as a nurse, patient advocate, and mentor to other nurses in terms of onboarding them. Her empathy, nurturing skills, and intelligence are SO identifiable from the start. Having been a nurse myself for over 40 years, a bright, loving, smart, and resourceful nurse like her shone like a star. She certainly reminds me of the joy a daisy brings as a first sign of Spring. Alex delivered shortly after shifts had changed, however she was still there charting. She immediately came in with the fanfare to congratulate them and share in the joy! That was such a sincere gesture.
It is times and people like this that I will never forget. Especially being a protective mother of A, but also a grandmother praying for a healthy grandchild. Samah felt like an answered prayer for me.