First Day on the NICU

Meredith was accepted into the Junior Volunteer Summer Program at

St. Luke's Hospital at the Vintage.

And, because she articulated her educational and nursing goals with such excellence,

they rewarded her with an unusual post in the Women's Birthing Center which is home to

labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum rooms as well as a 

level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

She will work there three shifts a week -four hours each day.

She had orientation on Friday with all the summer volunteers

and her own personal tour of the Woman's Center after everyone else dismissed.

Today was her first day.

And it was a great first day.

The charge nurse and everybody was quick to welcome her and

take her under their wing.  She already feels like part of the team

and said she is going to be included in all the activities of the unit -

much more than she even thought was going to be possible.

The nurses all seem thrilled to have her there and are going out of their way to educate her on

everything they are doing and everything that goes on.

They have even told her she is welcome to be a part of labor and deliveries

and to help with paperwork after births.

Today she got to feed a baby in a Giraffe Incubator.

She is so excited!

And they are giving her scrubs instead of the purple polo

so she feels and looks like part of the unit.

Yep - she is a little excited about that, too!

This is going to be such a spectacular experience for Meredith.  After months and months of narrowing the college search and defining her interests from healthcare generally to neonatal nursing specifically, this is almost like God just placing down the pavers for her to step on one at a time in that direction.  Certainly couldn't have asked for a better assignment - a true privilege and gift!  She will really be able to see if this is indeed what she wants to set out to do.  And if so, she is already making great connections in a fantastic hospital system.  And if its not - how great to know that now before selecting a school primarily based on its nursing program!  She feels blessed.  And I feel blessed to sit back and watch her take these next steps in God's grace....and enjoy it so much, too!