Meet Pat McPherson, an RN and patient care manager in the special care nursery (SCN) at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. In June, McPherson will celebrate 40 years as a RN. She has taken care of hundreds of babies over the years. We asked McPherson a few questions about her career and role within the nursery:
How did your career path lead you to Children’s? While in school I decided I wanted to work in OB, specifically the nursery. Neonatal intensive care units (NICU) were just starting at the time. I first came to Children’s in 1980. I worked in the NICU for 19 years and then left to try some other types of nursing. I soon realized that Children’s was where I wanted to be so I came back to manage the SCN. I have been back two years this month, and it has been very rewarding and challenging.
What is the best part about your job in the nursery? The best part of working in an SCN is being able to help improve the hospital experience for families whose babies ended up there. We are so lucky to be able to work with newborns and their families.
SCN is a great place to work because while the babies may be sick for a short time or are small they do very well overall. We have them at the time that the family begins to get to know them and learn how to care for them.
I always say that we have the best job in the world. It is our privilege to care for these babies.