Louise Reid, RN ~ Hanna's Story

I had just returned to work after maternity leave and was excited to be heading to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). However, that night I was told I would be floated over to the pediatric unit. I remember being a little ticked off as it was an extra shift, I agreed to pick up in NICU, but, I was there and off I went to Pediatrics.

A 6-week-old baby named Hanna was assigned to me that night. She was admitted with urinary tract infection and was planned for discharge in the morning. I greeted her mom and began my assessment of this little baby.

When I went to listen to the baby’s chest, I thought I heard a murmur. Being an NICU nurse, I was very accustomed to listening for murmurs, and taking time to assess heart sounds. I double checked the baby’s chart and there was nothing recorded. I didn’t want to alarm Mom, who was a paramedic, so didn’t say anything to her but I listened to that baby’s heart 8-10 times overnight and knew I had to speak to the physician in the morning.

That morning, I waited for the physician, passed on my findings, and went home. I never heard the outcome for this baby.

Five years later, I was reconnected with the mom, Crystal. Crystal told me that baby Hanna ended up being transferred to the pediatric specialty hospital and was diagnosed with an extremely rare heart condition. The family was told she would have likely passed away by 3 months of age and it would have appeared as SIDS. This little girl, Hanna, went on to have several open-heart surgeries, and is now a thriving, healthy 14-year-old. Crystal had wondered all these years about the nurse who discovered the murmur, but never had the opportunity to know her name or thank her.

Hanna’s mom shared her thoughts.

“The reality of that night still scares me to death, what would have happened if Louise was not her nurse that night and we were sent home that morning as planned? Would Hanna still be with us today? It gives me goosebumps and tears build up at the thought as in my heart of hearts the reality is no, she wouldn't. There still isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about Louise and am still so very grateful and thankful that she was our nurse that night.”

Louise feels the same way. “To think that if I hadn’t been floated to Pediatrics, if I hadn’t had that baby as part of my assignment, she could have easily been discharged home that morning. How tragic for everyone if I hadn’t had the opportunity to be her nurse, with my specific set of skills and education as an NICU nurse. I share this nursing memory with new staff and colleagues as a testament to the profound and life altering impact we as nurses can have simply by showing up to work.

When I see the photos of Hanna now, I am reminded of all these moments they enjoyed as a family that would not have happened if I had not found the heart murmur that night. I am so proud to be a nurse.

Louise Reid, RN