Caring for those just entering the world

A NICU nurse on caring for fragile newborns and preparing families for discharge.

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, we spotlight the important role of the NICU nurse, who cares for critical newborns during their early stages of life. We are also diving into nursing wellness, Obamacare, and health coverage for undocumented immigrants.

---

Nurse Spotlight: Luetwinta Breedlove, Registered Nurse

What I do for work

I care for both premature and critically ill newborn babies, stabilizing them and providing the ongoing care they need. We also assess whether they require transfer to a facility that offers a higher level of care.

I monitor and manage complex medications, IV drips and treatments, and collaborate with neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists and other healthcare specialists during daily rounds. During my twelve-hour shift, it is important to assess for subtle, life-threatening changes at every hands-on care time and as needed.

I ensure that parents are prepared to care for their child by helping them get ready for discharge and take great care of their baby, which leads to better outcomes after discharge.

How I got here

I started my career in adult acute care before transitioning to a dedicated nursery separate from postpartum care. I then moved to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Throughout my journey, I continue to receive education and training from our nurse educator, colleagues, and neonatologists, gaining valuable practical experience while maintaining neonatal-specific competencies as required. As a result, I continue to excel in my role.

---

Featured Jobs

🩺 Manager Nursing - Labor and Delivery, Swedish Health Services Seattle, WA ​Apply Now​ →​

☤ Manager - Nursing MedSurg/Telemetry, Ochsner Health System Kenner, LA ​Apply Now​ →​

♡ Registered Nurse, E-Therapy Talent, OR ​Apply Now​ →​

💉 Nursing Manager, APAC Mississippi / Tennessee, Inc. Jackson, MS ​Apply Now​ →​

🩹 Chief Nursing Officer Greater Minneapolis, MN ​Apply Now​ →​

🩸 Chief Nursing Officer Greater Spokane, WA ​Apply Now​ →​

​Create your free CollabWORK profile to get matched to nurse roles that fit your life (per diem, remote, travel, specific locations).

---

More on Luetwinta Breedlove

What aspect of your job do you find most rewarding?

It brings me joy to know that I have successfully prepared parents to confidently care for their baby while in the NICU and after discharge.

A day in my life

I receive a report from the night nurse for each baby, which includes their current condition and any overnight events. I review respiratory support settings and feeding tolerance, as well as checking the lab work and images. I then ensure that all lines and tubing are secured to the baby and that the settings are appropriate. I confirm that the babies are receiving the necessary fluids and that their vital signs are stable. It’s important to ensure that each baby is achieving homeostasis.

Next, I feed the baby based on their intake requirements. I encourage breastfeeding before bottle whenever possible. I also collaborate with speech-language pathologists to help teach my preemie how to eat. Additionally, I coordinate care around the baby’s therapies, reviewing the plan of care established during rounds and working within that framework.

My self-care routine (or what I do for fun, or to relax)

I love reading, journaling, horseback riding, and enjoying life by the lake. Whenever I have the opportunity to immerse myself in these activities, I take full advantage of it. Most importantly, I cherish the time I can spend with my family.

---

Headlines in Healthcare

Limiting Health Coverage for Undocumented Immigrants

California, Illinois, and Minnesota have limited health care coverage for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants. This rollback in coverage, driven by fiscal constraints, poses significant public health risks, especially amid growing concerns over data-sharing practices and ICE enforcement.

ACA Set to Increase Premiums on Health Care Plans

Health care plans sold through the Affordable Care Act are set to experience their largest cost increase in years. This rise is driven by the expiration of federal subsidies and escalating healthcare costs. As a result, up to 24 million Americans may be affected, with some facing the risk of losing their coverage.

Making Investments in Nurse Wellness

Investing in nurse wellness is both imperative and cost efficient, writes nurse.org, noting that support systems that combine flexible policies, mental and physical health programs, leadership engagement, and an inclusive culture lead to measurable improvements in retention and patient outcomes.

---

Meet the author:
​Renee DLamini
(RN, BSN, Writer)

---

Want to be featured?

Are you a nurse looking to share your story? Share it with us here for a chance to be featured in Nurse Ascent!

---

CollabWORK is a community-powered hiring platform

CollabWORK connects job-seekers to roles shared in trusted spaces—like nurse-led Facebook groups, Slack channels, and industry newsletters. Create your account or log in to discover other roles in nursing, healthcare, and beyond.

---

---

Find us online, on social + listen to our media appearances

CollabWORK
300 E 57th St 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10022

​
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​