Personal Narrative: Becoming A Neonatal Nurse

As I walk thru the doors of Floyd Medical Center, I look back at all I've accomplished. How far I have come from that shy girl in high school to an outgoing and friendly registered nurse. Walking down the hallway to my boss’ office, I feel a sense of relief. I'm finally finished with college and on to the start this new chapter of my life. Becoming a neonatal nurse has taken a long time but I know in the end it will all be worth it.

From the time my brother was born, a career of nursing was always in mind. I remember waking up in the car and mom telling me that the baby was coming. Moments later, we were informed that my brothers stomach was shrinking inside of her and that they had to do an emergency c-section. Thirty two weeks into my

mother’s pregnancy, and my 4lb 7oz baby brother was born. Visiting him in the NICU was hard. He had tubes and wires coming out everywhere. A hat was over his head and little socks on his tiny feet for warmth. The doctors said he was premature and his lungs were underdeveloped. Sixteen days later he got to come home. Mom let me feed him, hold him, get the diapers for her and help give him a bath. Having another little body in the family was an amazing first experience for me. When I first walked into the nursery, I remember feeling scared but I left that day knowing that I wanted to grow up and make a difference in these little ones lives. Being only 4 years old, my future was set. Caring for children has been my number one passion since then.

As a college student at Shorter University, I felt like the days would last forever but here I am. My goals have now been achieved. All my dedication has paid off. There are a lot of thoughts going thru my head as I meet the other nurses and get assigned to a unit. Walking thru the doors of the nursery, I'm blasted with colors of pink and blue all over the room. I think about how small and fragile all these newborns are, how all these machines keep a baby breathing, and just how precious an infants life truly is. In this moment, my mind is overwhelmed but my heart is content.

The first concept that I learn is how the seconds after birth are very critical.

They teach me how to weigh the babies, how to take their temperature, and how to monitor their heart rate. Although I learned all this in College, its nothing compared to doing it hands on. Every move we as neonatal nurses make are vital to the safety of these children. As I walk around the Nursery, I see all the little ones and hear them crying. One of the first things I notice is a very small infant in the corner of the room hooked up to bunch of tubes just like my brother was. An incubator is pressed against the wall with a light extending from it and in it, the child. I ask my supervisor what's wrong with Baby Michael, as the bracelet on his foot says. Her face gets serious as she looks at me and says “ He’s 10 weeks premature, his organs aren't fully developed and he's got a hole in heart. He is just so small. He won't make it thru surgery. “ These words sink in as I lower my head and walk to the restroom. It is there in that stall,on the 3rd floor of the maternity ward, where my tears start to flow. Possibility of death is always an outcome in the nursing field and I knew that before I even started in this direction, but why does it have to be so hard? I can't imagine what his parents are feeling after hearing this news. My family was once in the same situation and I know how scared we all were at the thought of losing my brother. As I think about this, I take a second and say a prayer

for this little boy and his family. When I am finished cleaning up, I return to my work site. My supervisor starts explaining to me that this profession is very rewarding but also has a lot of downfalls. Nodding my head, I start to think about the potential for success. I start to imagine all the lives that I, Faith Cheeks, will have a chance of helping. A smile creeps up the corner of my face as my first day comes to an end. Overall, today has been a wonderful day. My coworkers all welcomed me like family, and I got to meet all my tiny patients. I can't wait to see where this road leads me.

This job is like a roller coaster, there will be ups and downs, but also fun and exciting times! I am ready to make a difference and to rise about the call of duty and face my challenges. Mother Therersa once said “ Their feet may be tiny but they will tiptoe right into your heart”. This is a saying I now cherish and will carry with me always.