My Experience as a NICU Nurse at Children's of Alabama

Life on the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be full of highs and lows, but above all else it’s filled with dedicated and passionate nurses who are saving babies’ lives every day. Two of those special nurses shared their experiences working in the NICU and what that experience has meant to them.

Johnell Stanley started as a unit clerk in the NICU in 2004, but since then has taken the encouragement from her coworkers to go back to school and become a nurse. She’s been a Registered Nurse in the NICU since 2014 and describes her daily experiences as, “Caring for patients and participating in rounds, where we give updates on the patient to physicians, neonatologists, and anyone else who is involved. We also involve the family so they can ask questions.”

Sharing insight on a slightly different role, Charge Nurse Leslie Dillon, with Children’s of Alabama since 1988, shares details on her daily life in the NICU: “I help with patient care and staffing for shifts. I also act as a liaison between the nurses and surgeons and practitioners, as also between the nurses and nurse supervisor.”

Despite the difference in roles, both Leslie and Johnell share one thing in common: they enjoy working with the NICU team. “We’re a very close knit group and very welcoming of new people that join the team,” Leslie explains. Johnell agrees with her emphatically: “Our team is a family. Providing care can be physically and mentally draining, so we provide a great support system for one another.”

As in Johnell’s case, one great way our team supports each other is by advocating for continuing education. “Going to school while working here was great,” Johnell explains. “I had so many resources at my fingertips, so it made it easier for me.” Leslie reaffirms by sharing what she’s seen of student nurses: “We provide study groups for our student employees, and the hospital will reimburse for the necessary tests. Leadership is very supportive and encourages employees to pursue advanced certification.”

With all the focus we put on making sure our team members are developing, we also make sure we’re at the forefront of medicine by using the newest tools the industry can provide. “The extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program is phenomenal,” Leslie tells. “We are one of only five programs in the world that obtained platinum status in the ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support Centers.”

Johnell also points to the dialysis program our NICU uses as a way Children’s of Alabama stays ahead of the fold: “The dialysis program is something that not many neonatal units do, which makes it very innovative.”

The NICU uses cutting edge technology, teamwork and professional development to provide the best care possible for our patients. Leslie shared one story that sticks out in her mind as what makes this job a truly special one:

“We treated a baby boy who had some really rare issues. It was rewarding to be able to work with his mom and watch her grow and become an advocate for him. She now is on the parent advisory committee at the hospital and is one of the people that raises money for the hospital. Just to know her child stayed with us, that she’s gone and changed things for Children’s is awesome.”

Johnell on the other hand had this to say about her patient experiences:

“I care for all of my patients the same. I love them all and do whatever I can, because at the end of the day they’re really sick and it’s overwhelming for the parents, so I take care of the patients as well as the families. We’ll have situations where it doesn’t look good but all of the sudden the babies pull through and it’s incredible to be a part of that.”

When it comes down to it, both Leslie and Johnell sum up working in the NICU in the exact same way: “It’s an honor.”

Follow in the steps of Leslie, Johnell and the rest of our passionate team of nurses in the NICU at Children’s of Alabama and join our team today!