For many, Christmas is a time to celebrate with family and friends, exchanging gifts and sharing meals.
However, the reality is quite different for registered nurses like Rabiah Hughes, who works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She is attached to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) in Region Three.
The challenges faced during this period can be overwhelming, yet the rewards are profoundly inspiring.
Nurse Rabiah Hughes
A LEGACY OF CARE AND INSPIRATION
Rabiah became a registered nurse in 2022, driven by the legacy of her grandmother, Matriarch Lloyda Hughes. Her grandmother served as a nurse with unwavering dedication and dignity, prioritising patient care above all else.
This spirit of compassion and commitment to healing resonates deeply within Rabiah, making her journey even more meaningful.
One of the most touching experiences for Rabiah has been witnessing the incredible resilience of premature babies.
Each day in the NICU presents a struggle against the odds, as these tiny fighters persevere through challenges that often seem insurmountable.
The memorable experience is seeing these tiny fighters preserve despite the challenges. Their strength is incredible and serves as a daily reminder of the resilience of life.
CHRISTMAS IN THE NICU
Christmas Day poses a unique challenge for nurses. While some celebrate with loved ones, Rabiah embraces her role gracefully, knowing that “nursing care never stops.”
I have no issues working on Christmas day because nursing care never ends. While it’s hard to be away from loved ones and miss intimate moments like meal preparation and worship, the reward of seeing a mother smile, knowing her baby is well cared for, is priceless.
Despite the challenges, Rabiah and her team ensure that the NICU is filled with festive cheer.
We plan menus, contribute individually, create T-shirts, and dress the babies in adorable Christmas onesies. Including mothers in these activities fosters a sense of togetherness and joy.
L-R: Nurse Shelly Niles, Yoshada Khairu and Rabiah Hughes
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DURING THE HOLIDAYS
The holiday season can be emotionally taxing for families with babies in critical care. Rabiah emphasises the importance of providing emotional support and encouraging parents to stay positive and turn to prayer.
Sometimes, the inevitable occurs, or there are situations where we can not control the outcome. It is important as nurses that we let them know that spending Christmas in the hospital is all a part of the journey and on the road to recovery for their babies.
A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND POSITIVITY
To families spending Christmas in the NICU, Rabiah offers a message of hope:
I’d like to let families know that this is just a part of the road to recovery, and it is important that they remain positive and they pray without ceasing.
THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON
To this end, Rabiah noted that Christmas is a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ and the spirit of giving.
It’s a time where we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and remember that he is the reason for the season. It’s a time where we’re able to spend with loved ones and give as Christ would have given unto us.
