Celebrating Special People

NICU NURSES ARE A SPECIAL BREED OF PEOPLE. WE CAN talk about intergenerational differences, stressful conditions, staff shortages, and just why there are so few nurses. But when it comes to caring for our patients and their families or our colleagues, we do that really well. I recently had the opportunity to witness the staff of my NICU rally to support a colleague who had a brush with a life-threatening illness. The response was amazing. Before you knew it, there were baked goods and groceries, bubble bath and novels, movies and other goodies being amassed in a series of gift baskets. There were coupons and gift certificates and, most importantly, an outpouring of kind words and supportive messages. This is not the first time I have seen compassion at work among colleagues. Christmas in our NICU finds giant sign-up lists for hamper items for needy families. By the time we are ready to make deliveries there are several enormous hampers making their way to several families that have passed through our doors during the preceding year.