The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) staff work in a high-stakes environment. Saving babies is what they do—University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is among the top neonatal intensive care providers in the country. This level of care is supported by nurses whose ability to provide it directly correlates to their own well-being.
Nurse Manager Laura Corbett regularly looks for ways to support wellness programs for her staff.
“We work around the clock to ensure optimal wellness for our patients and their families. When our nurses set personal goals, as well as adopt healthier practices in the workplace, it helps all of us (patients and staff) reinforce the value of healthy lifestyles,” Corbett says.
Two members of the NICU staff are conspicuous examples.
Robin Ostedgaard has worked at the UI for 30 years and is a certified child life specialist in the NICU. A few years ago, Ostedgaard had a life-changing experience when she developed food sensitivities and allergies. This, along with a strong family history of diabetes, forced her to make challenging diet and lifestyle changes.
“You never realize how food-based holidays and other social events are until your diet is restricted,” Ostedgaard says. “I have always been a very physically active person participating in sports and exercise throughout my lifetime, but as I became older, I began to gain weight. I finally decided to do something about it when my grandchildren were born. I wanted to be able to keep up with them.”
Ostedgaard recognizes how much her work group to helps her sustain these changes.
“Leadership is very supportive of staff well-being,” she says. “They inform us of wellness opportunities and encourage participation.”
Ostedgaard’s recommendations to other staff who want to get healthier are to participate in something you love, but don’t set your goals too high.
“One of the best things I did was to join the gym and promise myself I would go to the gym three days a week,” she says. “It didn’t matter what day or what activity. I felt less pressured and better about myself. It’s a great stress reliever.”
Tresha Brenneman has been a registered nurse in the NICU for 31 years and a longtime participant in the wellness services offered at the UI.
Brenneman says she’s experienced challenges along the way, but the wellness programs have helped her get back on track.
“Over the last year, I have had success with ketogenic eating practices and working on adding healthy exercise activities—including varying intensity walking, low-intensity cardio, stretching, and resistance training,” Brenneman says. “I completed a 5K walk in June within the timed goal I set for myself.”
Brenneman says her work group also helps her make healthy choices.
“It is great being able to share helpful information with other staff on the unit and to discuss the successes that others have had,” she says.
Brenneman encourages other UI staff to continue to pursue their wellness goals.
“The main thing is to not give up in pursuing your goals. Just keep going. There will be ups and downs on the way; it’s a lifelong journey,” she says. “Start small, and don't try to do too much all at once.”