Nicole Neel, RN in Labor and Delivery
What is your role with Powers Health?
I am a registered nurse in Labor and Delivery at St. Catherine Hospital.
What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
As a kid, I actually wanted to be a veterinarian, but my allergies wouldn't have made that fun. But I always loved helping people. Especially after seeing my nana and papa get sick, go in and out of hospitals and then eventually into hospice was a big reason why I wanted to go into healthcare. I wanted to be able to help take care of people like people took care of them. I actually ended up, during my time here, seeing one of the nurses who had taken care of my papa during his time in hospice. It was a very heart-warming moment, especially since she remembered my papa.
What is a typical day like for you?
We have a variety of jobs in Labor and Delivery! Sometimes I'll be taking care of a mom while she is in labor and helping her through the whole labor process. With that comes monitoring both her and the baby while the baby is still inside of her. I'm monitoring the baby's heart rate, her contractions, doing various positions with her to help her labor, etc. We also take care of the moms and babies after delivery. That is a nice bond we get with them since they get to stay with us the whole time. We get to see them through all the hardship of labor and help them during those firsts of taking care of a new baby. We also offer breastfeeding support. I do discharge phone calls after the patients go home to check on how they're doing and if they need anything.
How long have you been employed here?
I have been here since 2012.
What are some of the big changes you have experienced in this position?
I've worked here as both an RN fellow going through nursing school and becoming an RN on a medical-surgical floor—5 West – and then came to Labor and Delivery in 2017. It is so rewarding having worked in both positions and seeing the various types of nursing there is and how we can help different groups of people.
What are some of your interests outside of work?
I love spending time with my family. I also love reading, hiking, golfing and fishing.
What do you enjoy most about working at Powers Health?
I love how everyone works so well together on our unit. During my time on my old floor it was like that, too. It's like a little family here. Everyone is willing to help out and take care of each other.