09-07-2024
Stronger Together: Nicole Nyberg on NICU Challenges and Family
In this episode of the Care Out Loud podcast, host Mary welcomes Nicole Nyberg, a passionate neonatal nurse practitioner and mother, who shares her inspiring journey. Nicole discusses her path to becoming a NICU nurse and the life-changing experiences she faced when her son William was born prematurely at 23 weeks. Nicole talks about the trauma of her NICU journey, the critical importance of family-centered care, and advocating for trauma-informed support for NICU parents. She also highlights her work in creating the Empowering NICU Parents Podcast and her role in the NICU to Home project with Angel Eye Health, aiming to support families both during and after their NICU stay.
00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Nicole Nyberg
00:23 Nicole's Journey to Becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
02:00 Personal Challenges and Pregnancy Complications
03:21 William's Birth and NICU Experience
05:38 Returning to Work and Balancing Roles
07:48 The Impact of Trauma and Seeking Support
12:39 Creating the Empowered Parent and NICU Journal
18:19 Current Work and Future Aspirations
19:47 The Importance of Trauma-Informed Care
28:11 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Biography
Nicole Nyberg received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Psychology from Purdue University. She worked as a NICU nurse for over 10 years before she pursued her MSN from Rush University and became a board-certified NNP in 2013. Over the last 10 years, she has practiced as an NNP at Level I—IV NICUs.
After her son was delivered at 23 weeks and spent 91 days in the NICU, she has devoted herself to supporting, educating, and empowering NICU parents and clinicians with a particular focus on bringing awareness to the positive effects parental engagement and family-integrated care have on the infant’s long-term trajectory and the family’s overall well-being. With her unique perspective, Nicole shares her passion through the organization she founded, Empowering NICU Parents. She provides invaluable support and education through the Empowering NICU Parents’ Podcast, a resourceful website, active social media platforms, influential speaking engagements at national conferences, and her NICU Journal, "Our NICU Roadmap."
As the Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee for the Family-Centered Care Task Force, she actively advocates for parents to be considered essential members of the care team rather than “visitors.” She is a Clinical Product Specialist at AngelEye Health, currently focusing on their new NICU navigation and discharge coordination solution, NICU2Home.
Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband, Josh, their son William, who is now a healthy, funny, witty, and smart 10-year-old, and their pup, Rudy. They love to travel and currently live in North Carolina. They spend their days soaking up the lake life by boating, fishing, and taking walks.
Website: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/256736665671416
Join Mary and the star-studded faculty at Caring Essentials' 4th Annual Trauma Informed Developmental Care Conference, October 13-15, 2024 taking place at the iconic Hilton Boston Park Plaza, Boston MA, USA. LEARN MORE