Honoring Neonatal Nurses this Week

A traveling NICU RN reminds us why we're honoring these talented professionals and celebrating Neonatal Nurses Week.

The National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) established this important holiday to celebrate the RNs who care for the tiniest and most vulnerable patients two decades ago. We continue to celebrate this honorary week, which was formerly only one day!

Saving babies is difficult and sometimes heartbreaking work, but the success stories are their own reward. It is also encouraging to know that NICU travel nurse jobs are always on offer and can be rewarding on many levels. One such NICU nurse shared her story with us.

Mindy W., an American Traveler for almost three years, was living in and working in Missouri when she decided she wanted to see more of the country. She made the most of her career, with completed travel nurse jobs in Kansas, Illinois, Idaho, Maryland, and Texas. Mindy enjoys immersing herself in each new NICU unit and learning how different hospitals operate. She has worked in academic medical centers, children’s hospitals, Level I and II trauma centers, and Level II, III, and IV NICUs. In regards to traveling, she says,

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the nurses in NICU units across the country. We are grateful for the love and care you provide to the most frail of patients, and we hope that during this particular week, you feel the love! The National Association of Neonatal Nurses encourages you to share your stories with #NeonatalNursesWeek on social media!

Like so many of their colleagues, these healthcare professionals demonstrate not only clinical competence, but the ability to remain compassionate and calm under stressful conditions. The connection that NICU nurses have to their patients' families can be intensely emotional. Families often want to thank the experts who have cared their little ones. Etsy and CafePress are two sites that offer a wide selection of thank you gifts for NICU nurses. But sometimes the nicest thing you can do is well-timed "You're the best!" at an impromptu staff gathering.