May 2019
Michelle
Smith
,
RN
NICU
Providence Alaska Medical Center
Anchorage
,
AK
United States

 

 

 

I'll never forget the first time I met Michelle. I was scared, stressed, and overwhelmed by being in the NICU with a 25-week micro-preemie with major respiratory problems - but the first day I had her was my son's first good day in a while. As soon as I showed up, she greeted me with a warm smile. She then immediately updated me on his situation and was able to thoroughly and thoughtfully answer any questions I had. If she didn't know an answer, she would ask the appropriate person and promptly deliver a response.
Each action Michelle made, she explained, from telling me which vitamins she was putting in his food and why she was pressing certain buttons. The more we had Michelle as a nurse, the more I learned, which made me more confident in my role as a NICU mom.
Michelle established a rapport of honesty and trust that made me thrive, and in turn, helped my baby thrive. After having Michelle quite a few times, I noticed that my son's trends were always the best on the days she worked. We joked that he knew she was there and that's why he did well. Michelle is consistent, methodical, and meticulous, but also kind and sincere. Very rarely do you have a nurse as equally adept as compassionate.