Learn more about Anita Persaud, RN, who has been working in the Shyan Sun, M.D. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) since March 2019 and as a NICU travel nurse for about 5 years prior.
As a level III Regional Perinatal Center, the NICU offers the latest treatments and modalities in the field to provide the most advanced care for more than 1,200 premature and ill newborns each year. The NICU is housed in the state-of-the-art Cooperman Family Pavilion, making possible a once-in-a-generation expansion of the region’s leading Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Dedicated to nurturing the smallest and most fragile infants, there are neonatologists in-house at all times ready to deliver the best possible medical care. Mothers who are at high risk for complications during pregnancy come to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center for our specialized prenatal care and take comfort in the fact that, if their baby needs special care after birth, our NICU is among the best in the country and is equipped to diagnose and treat a variety of problems.
Where did you do your nursing education and training? I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL.
Please describe what your role/responsibilities are in the NICU? My role as an RN in the NICU is working with infants in critical care, along with supporting and providing information to parents and families.
How did you know you wanted to be a NICU nurse? I was born prematurely, weighing 1½ pounds at birth. I am very grateful to the NICU staff for all the care they provided, which saved my life. This experience made me want to become a NICU nurse, where I felt like I could contribute and try to give back what was given to me.
What do you like the most about working in the NICU? Working in the NICU gives me the chance to improve and save lives of infants and comfort their families. I find being able to make a positive difference in the life of others to be very rewarding and beneficial.
What does Family Centered Care mean to you? To me, Family Centered Care means a way to support and include families in the care of their infants. It is a collaboration between families and the health care team.
Do you have any suggestions or advice for NICU families in general and/or about being involved in their babies care? My advice to NICU families would be to try to take one day at a time, take care of yourself, ask questions and participate in your infant’s care as much as you can while in the NICU. Allow yourself to experience all of the emotions. Our NICU team is always here to inform you and support you through this journey.
Is there anything else you would like to say about your job or the NICU? I feel very fortunate to be a part of the NICU team here at CBMC. This experience has allowed me to learn and grow professionally. Also, I feel like I can understand how NICU parents feel because my daughter was born prematurely at 29 weeks and had to stay in the NICU for 2 months.
What do you like to do in your free time when you are not working in the NICU? In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, traveling, and gardening.