Taniecia was assigned a postpartum mother in clinical for B334. Report from staff noted the mother had a history of depression, and had not been visiting her infant while the baby was in the special care nursery, was not interested in the child, and did not want to breastfeed. Showing the compassion that is typical of her, Taniecia took the time to sit down and speak with the mother. She found that although her patient's affect was flat, it wasn't that the mother was uninterested in her child, but that the mother felt unintelligent and marginalized, was afraid to speak up, and struggled mentally from previous trauma. The mother also spoke candidly about her desire to breastfeed, and how she hadn't felt supported.

Taniecia validated her patient's concerns, treated her with dignity and respect, and advocated for her patient by telling the nurses that the mother wanted to attempt to breastfeed again. Taniecia then (with permission and faculty supervision), sacrificed some of her own lunch time to be with her patient as she attempted to breastfeed, because she had promised the patient she would be there for her. She empowered her patient to be the mother she wanted to be, and gave her sound advice and education for breastfeeding, even impressing the unit nurses.

By the end of the shift, this mother was regularly breastfeeding and smiling with a happy affect when she interacted with her baby. I believe that this simple act of compassion profoundly changed Taniecia's patient's and her baby's future. Struggling with mental health and failing to bond with her newborn could have devastating consequences, mentally and physically. Although it would have been easier to just perform her duties as a student, she chose to work harder and understood that nursing isn't just about performing assigned tasks. By taking the time to really listen to her patient, to validate her patient's humanity and motherhood, and advocate for her, Taniecia exemplified the art of nursing, and I believe saved that woman's life.