Deborah Discenza
For a family in the NICU, this is literally the worst time in their lives. Most new parents feel that they are protective of their newborn, but being a parent of a NICU baby is 20 times more challenging. NICU nurses have the power to make a difference by building resilience at the same time they are providing patient education. Celebrations, respectfulness, and supportiveness toward the family are key. For parents, the actions of nurses can profoundly affect the NICU stay and persist after discharge. Confidence and resilience go a long way toward creating advocates as they take their child out into the world.