February 2024
Virginia
Huffman
,
BSN, RN
FCC
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Livingston
,
NJ
United States
She was so calm, collected, and professional, all while tending to my physical and emotional needs. She is truly impressive, and I am so thankful.
I don't know where to start to properly thank Virginia. I don't think I have bonded with a stranger like that in a very long time. She took care of me at my most fragile state. Overall, she was so attentive (never lapsed in pain medication), personal (helped me name my child), and professionally skilled. I had a clotting incident that sincerely scared me and made me nervous I was hemorrhaging. She was so calm, collected, and professional, all while tending to my physical and emotional needs. She is truly impressive, and I am so thankful. Had that incident needed to happen, I am lucky I was in her care.
On the day of discharge, breastfeeding for me and my son went sideways. I couldn’t get my son to latch, my milk was coming in, and I felt completely defeated that a now mom of three still couldn’t figure it out. Virginia was my hero. I have never felt so prepared and supported by a nurse. She went completely above and beyond, helping me for hours. She never pushed me to leave or made me feel bad or insecure. She showed me tools and techniques that I had never heard of and that were completely game-changing for me. She provided me with physical and emotional comfort and set me up for success going home. She suggested I pump before I left the hospital, and not only did I feel more human afterward, but it also let me feed my baby in a stress-free way when I got home. She anticipated my needs before I got home and made suggestions like getting a pump for home while I healed. She reminded me that a fed baby is best. Because of this, I was able to keep my sanity and comfort when I got home. That night, when my milk came in, I was able to pump four ounces. Had I not been set up with a pump per her suggestion, I would have been in so much pain and completely exhausted, and I would have pushed my body through more nipple pain to alleviate the pressure. She saved me from so much stress because she had prepared me so well. I will be forever thankful for her. She will never know how deeply she touched me and how lucky I was to have her as my nurse. She is the true definition of the ideal nurse and a compassionate person.
On the day of discharge, breastfeeding for me and my son went sideways. I couldn’t get my son to latch, my milk was coming in, and I felt completely defeated that a now mom of three still couldn’t figure it out. Virginia was my hero. I have never felt so prepared and supported by a nurse. She went completely above and beyond, helping me for hours. She never pushed me to leave or made me feel bad or insecure. She showed me tools and techniques that I had never heard of and that were completely game-changing for me. She provided me with physical and emotional comfort and set me up for success going home. She suggested I pump before I left the hospital, and not only did I feel more human afterward, but it also let me feed my baby in a stress-free way when I got home. She anticipated my needs before I got home and made suggestions like getting a pump for home while I healed. She reminded me that a fed baby is best. Because of this, I was able to keep my sanity and comfort when I got home. That night, when my milk came in, I was able to pump four ounces. Had I not been set up with a pump per her suggestion, I would have been in so much pain and completely exhausted, and I would have pushed my body through more nipple pain to alleviate the pressure. She saved me from so much stress because she had prepared me so well. I will be forever thankful for her. She will never know how deeply she touched me and how lucky I was to have her as my nurse. She is the true definition of the ideal nurse and a compassionate person.