Jennifer C. Wolf
June 2025
Jennifer C.
Wolf
,
RN
5A - Medical
Mayo Clinic Health System Southwest Wisconsin
La Crosse
,
WI
United States
Instinctively, I reached for Jennifer and hugged her as I cried. She held space for me in that moment with deep empathy. What I needed wasn’t just medical care—it was healing through her holistic, human-centered approach.
In February, I gave birth to our second child—a beautiful daughter—and was discharged home. Just days later, I found myself back in the ER with signs of infection. I expected to be evaluated and sent home with oral antibiotics, but instead, I was admitted for at least 24 hours of IV treatment. I was overwhelmed. I struggled with the decision of whether to leave my newborn at home or bring her to the hospital. My two-year-old son was already adjusting to the arrival of a new sibling, and now I would be away again. My husband was on paternity leave, and this was not how I envisioned our early days as a family of four.
I couldn’t be admitted to Labor and Delivery and was instead placed on unit 5A. Despite the emotional toll, I knew being admitted was the right choice and resolved to get through the 24 hours. Jennifer was my admitting nurse, and from the moment she entered the room, she brought a calm, compassionate confidence. She sat beside me—not at the computer—and focused entirely on my well-being. She completed the admission process through genuine conversation, making me feel seen and understood.
What was supposed to be a 24-hour stay turned into 72 hours, and I was fortunate to have Jennifer as my nurse for most of it. Her compassion never wavered. She became my biggest cheerleader, especially when it came to pumping—celebrating every ounce I produced.
She went above and beyond to ensure medications were safe for breastfeeding, even obtaining exact percentages from the pharmacist. By the third night, I was emotionally drained and developed a fever. That same night, I had a strong reaction to an antibiotic infusion and broke down in tears. Instinctively, I reached for Jennifer and hugged her as I cried. She held space for me in that moment with deep empathy. What I needed wasn’t just medical care—it was healing through her holistic, human-centered approach.
As nurses, you may meet many patients and remember only a few. But as a patient, I will remember Jennifer for a lifetime. I am forever grateful for her thoughtful, compassionate care during one of the most difficult seasons of my life.
I couldn’t be admitted to Labor and Delivery and was instead placed on unit 5A. Despite the emotional toll, I knew being admitted was the right choice and resolved to get through the 24 hours. Jennifer was my admitting nurse, and from the moment she entered the room, she brought a calm, compassionate confidence. She sat beside me—not at the computer—and focused entirely on my well-being. She completed the admission process through genuine conversation, making me feel seen and understood.
What was supposed to be a 24-hour stay turned into 72 hours, and I was fortunate to have Jennifer as my nurse for most of it. Her compassion never wavered. She became my biggest cheerleader, especially when it came to pumping—celebrating every ounce I produced.
She went above and beyond to ensure medications were safe for breastfeeding, even obtaining exact percentages from the pharmacist. By the third night, I was emotionally drained and developed a fever. That same night, I had a strong reaction to an antibiotic infusion and broke down in tears. Instinctively, I reached for Jennifer and hugged her as I cried. She held space for me in that moment with deep empathy. What I needed wasn’t just medical care—it was healing through her holistic, human-centered approach.
As nurses, you may meet many patients and remember only a few. But as a patient, I will remember Jennifer for a lifetime. I am forever grateful for her thoughtful, compassionate care during one of the most difficult seasons of my life.