As a former NICU parent, people are often taken aback as to why I would want to reenter the world that most people associate with scariness, pain, and heartbreak. Honestly, the NICU is none of those things to me. Yes, I did experience being scared, pain, and heartbreak as a parent in the NICU and even as a nurse. However, the NICU is not defined by those small aspects. What most people (except us), don’t get to see, are the good days.
They don’t get to see the wonder and confusion of new parents as they see their tiny baby for the first time. They don’t get to see the excitement on the faces of mom and dad when we tell them their little one gained a few ounces like we told them they won the lottery. They don’t get to see how peaceful and content a sick baby becomes when held skin to skin by their mama. They don’t see the miracles we see everyday, the obstacles that are overcome, the sadness that is overthrown by a simple joy.
When asked” Why NICU?” Most of the time I just say, “It’s where I learned to never take the little things for granted. It’s so intense, so beautiful, and I see miracles everyday.”
- Kristina Johnson