Jay’s Story
In 2001, Jay, of De Pere, Wisconsin, was born at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital prematurely. Born just 24 weeks into her mother’s pregnancy, Jay was small, fragile, and in need of intensive medical care.
“I weighed just 1 pound 8 ounces at birth and was barely the size of my hand,” said Jay. “I am truly blessed with how good I turned out considering how sick I was as a baby.”
Jay was given special care and attention at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This department is the first Level III NICU introduced in the Green Bay region and specializes in offering care to some of the region’s most vulnerable infants. The NICU team consists of neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, registered nurses, developmental therapists, lactation consultants, respiratory therapists and social workers. The specialized team provides care for newborn infants born extremely premature, critically ill or in need of surgical intervention.
“I can’t believe that I ultimately spent 99 days in the NICU at St. Vincent,” said Jay. “But over that time, thanks to the care I received, I got healthier, stronger and eventually graduated from the NICU and went home.”
Fast forward 23 years, and Jay, a healthy adult at that point, was once again graduating – this time from nursing school. The NICU/college graduate was about to enter the workforce in the very place where her life had begun.
“Being able to get a job in nursing was amazing enough for me,” said Jay. “But I always knew that I wanted to work in the NICU where I was born at. It’s hard to express how incredible it felt when I was offered a job at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s NICU.”
Working alongside some of the same men and women who cared for Jay as an infant was a special experience for the new nurse. It was also special for some of the nurses who recall offering the micro-premie care, during the first months of her life.
“For how sick Jay was as an infant it’s amazing how far she has come,” said Jackie Weier, registered nurse at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s NICU. “It’s also inspiring for the parents in our NICU. Her story can encourage them not to give up hope.”
Over the past 50 plus years, the NICU department at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital has morphed into the largest NICU in the region, with 26 beds. Today, the NICU team provides immediate, 24/7 care for infants born too early, with low birth weights, with congenital birth defects or unanticipated difficulties that may happen during delivery. But even with countless advancements made within the department over the decades, the team within the NICU still relies on providing the most compassionate care, as the best treatment for babies and their loved ones.
“I have shared with some of the families in our NICU that I was actually born here,” said Jay. “I love that I am able to give back to the babies the same way that I was given care to as an infant. Seeing the babies excel is so rewarding and I wouldn’t change my job for the world.”
“I weighed just 1 pound 8 ounces at birth and was barely the size of my hand,” said Jay. “I am truly blessed with how good I turned out considering how sick I was as a baby.”
Expert NICU care available in Green Bay
Jay was given special care and attention at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This department is the first Level III NICU introduced in the Green Bay region and specializes in offering care to some of the region’s most vulnerable infants. The NICU team consists of neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, registered nurses, developmental therapists, lactation consultants, respiratory therapists and social workers. The specialized team provides care for newborn infants born extremely premature, critically ill or in need of surgical intervention.“I can’t believe that I ultimately spent 99 days in the NICU at St. Vincent,” said Jay. “But over that time, thanks to the care I received, I got healthier, stronger and eventually graduated from the NICU and went home.”
The NICU graduate becomes a NICU nurse
Fast forward 23 years, and Jay, a healthy adult at that point, was once again graduating – this time from nursing school. The NICU/college graduate was about to enter the workforce in the very place where her life had begun.“Being able to get a job in nursing was amazing enough for me,” said Jay. “But I always knew that I wanted to work in the NICU where I was born at. It’s hard to express how incredible it felt when I was offered a job at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s NICU.”
Working alongside the team that once cared for her
Working alongside some of the same men and women who cared for Jay as an infant was a special experience for the new nurse. It was also special for some of the nurses who recall offering the micro-premie care, during the first months of her life.“For how sick Jay was as an infant it’s amazing how far she has come,” said Jackie Weier, registered nurse at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s NICU. “It’s also inspiring for the parents in our NICU. Her story can encourage them not to give up hope.”
Over the past 50 plus years, the NICU department at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital has morphed into the largest NICU in the region, with 26 beds. Today, the NICU team provides immediate, 24/7 care for infants born too early, with low birth weights, with congenital birth defects or unanticipated difficulties that may happen during delivery. But even with countless advancements made within the department over the decades, the team within the NICU still relies on providing the most compassionate care, as the best treatment for babies and their loved ones.
“I have shared with some of the families in our NICU that I was actually born here,” said Jay. “I love that I am able to give back to the babies the same way that I was given care to as an infant. Seeing the babies excel is so rewarding and I wouldn’t change my job for the world.”