As a level II RN, I would LOVE it if I could have had input on this!  Our
unit expanded and doubled in size just over a year ago.  The nurses were
given ZERO opportunity to add any input whatsoever into the design of the
unit.

If I could wave my magic wand, I would make the unit a little bigger and put
a recliner (a COMFORTABLE recliner) at each baby's bedside (or at least the
capability to do so).  We have NO recliners at all in our nursery.  Each
bedside has a rocking chair which is really not conducive to skin-to-skin
care.  If moms could recline and get comfortable, I know many of them would
do more skin-to-skin.

I would also add more rooming-in rooms.  We currently have 6 rooming-in
rooms and they are ONLY for very stable babies who are within a few days of
discharge.  We have so many mothers who WANT to be successful at
breastfeeding, but who are told over and over, "Sorry, we can't put the baby
in a rooming-in room because they are reserved for babies getting ready to
go home."  They are told this even if we have EMPTY rooms!  So many of these
mothers are so dedicated, but they have no place to sleep.  They are banned
from sleeping in the family lounge and are not allowed to fall asleep at the
bedside.  They are basically forced to go home.  It breaks my heart.

Have you spoken with Paula Meier at all?  She is at Rush in Chicago.  I wish
our hospital had 1/10th of what they have at Rush.  She would be a very,
very, very valuable resource to get information from.

I'm glad that you get a say in the future design plan.  Where I work,
unfortunately, parents are often seen as "in the way" and "an
inconvenience".  It's terribly sad and unfortunate.

Good luck!

Christina, RN
Seattle, WA

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