Nurses and their former patients reunited at Harrisburg Hospital on Sunday. Pinnacle Health’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit hosted a reunion for its 2010 graduates in the Seven Bridges Cafe.
The hospital started the tradition five years ago to reunite families and the nurses who cared for their premature babies. Parents say a long-lasting bond is formed between them and the nurses who took care of their baby.
“It’s called primary nursing when a baby is going to be in the NICU for a long time. Nurses will sign up to be the primary nurse, so there is more continuity, they get used to that baby and the parents get used to that nurse and you form bonds with them,” says Connie Lavendier, an R.N. at Harrisburg Hospital.
“We have made life-long bonds with some of the staff, it’s just amazing how welcoming and part of the family they make you feel while you are here,” says Ed Wenger, a parent attending the event.
Families enjoyed food, music and games at the reunion.