"Laurie Van Damme, a perinatal nurse navigator at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, did not follow the others. She pulled up a chair, anticipated what Bery needed, and gently led her out of the exam room. "I was sitting there in tears, and she was like, 'Let's get you something to drink,'" Bery, 38, recalls in an interview with TODAY.com. "Miss Laurie stopped everything for me. I'll never forget it.""
"Bery's experience is not unique. Over a career spanning more than two decades, Van Damme has guided expectant mothers through high-risk pregnancies, often staying past her shift to deliver a level of care that reaches far beyond the clinical setting. 'I walk with them through their journey,' Van Damme, who began her career as a labor and delivery nurse, tells TODAY.com. 'I advocate for them, make sure their concerns are heard, and help everyone understand what they're going through emotionally as well as medically. I'm the person who listens and shares hugs.'"
A patient received a high-risk pregnancy diagnosis when fetal kidneys lagged in development and was left fearful after physicians departed. A perinatal nurse navigator stayed behind, comforted the patient, offered snacks and reassurance, and promised ongoing accompaniment at appointments. The nurse routinely guides expectant mothers through high-risk pregnancies, advocates for their concerns, explains emotional and medical aspects, and often stays beyond shifts to provide personal support. The nurse’s actions included sharing stories of similar families, offering practical help until the patient could safely drive, and committing continued presence during subsequent care and emergencies.
Read at TODAY.com
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