NICU nurse story - miniature miracles

Marti Marnell, NNP, a neonatal nurse practitioner at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Ariz., begins her day at 6 a.m., when she receives reports on 10 to 12 babies. Marnell reviews current X-rays, lab work, and echocardiograms before completing her physical exams.

“The plan of care is a kind of dance between what we think the baby can tolerate without depleting his energy level, and his medical and physical needs,” Marnell says. “Our main goal is to manage our preemies, keep them growing and thriving until discharge.”

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a place where challenges are met and miracles are witnessed. “I think it’s easy to take our own lives for granted when everything is going well,” Marnell says, “but when you consider the huge challenges preemies face, it gives you a strong connection to your own spirituality and a clear reminder of one’s own mortality.”

At 6:30 a.m., LeAnne Studenberg, RN, BSN, clinical manager in the NICU at Banner Desert, hits the ground running. She receives a comprehensive report from the night clinical manager before assisting a nurse with an intravenous line. The NICU, a 65-bed, level-three unit, prepares for two high-risk deliveries.

Studenberg talks about a recent C-section that occurred in the main OR. “We had a baby diagnosed with severe hydrops, 30 weeks’ gestation, projected to weigh between three and four kilograms,” Studenberg says. “Teams were standing by to perform a tracheostomy if needed, but the baby was easily intubated. He survived for five days.”

Connie Welker, RN, BS, case manager at Banner Desert’s NICU, prepares and assists families with discharge planning. “I interview families early on,” she says. “The discharge planning isn’t complete until the variable outcomes are known.” Transitioning the baby to a home environment requires a multidisciplinary team effort. The transition includes physical and speech therapy, lactation, nutrition, and specialty needs. “A baby might have to go home on a trach or with a G-tube in place, which requires parent education,” Welker says. “Nesting rooms allow family members to practice caring for their baby before the discharge date.”

To read more about the life of a NICU nurse and what it takes to be an travel NICU RN follow the link to page two