A CHILDREN’S nursing student from Warrington has celebrated a very special birthday at the neonatal baby care unit that looked after her when she was born 20 years ago – and where she is currently on placement.
Jessica Jones and celebrated her 20th birthday at Warrington Hospital, where she is taking part in a training placement as part of her degree.
She was joined by a group of nurses and nursery nurses who cared for her during her time in the unit after she was born prematurely.
Jessica, a student at the University of Chester, said: “I was born after an emergency C section in 1999 – eight weeks early! My mum hadn’t had an easy pregnancy with me and was in hospital for monitoring due to reduced movements.
“At this time my mum was also a midwife at Warrington Hospital. The consultant wasn’t happy with my heart rate, so decided to do an emergency C section to get me out and that’s how I ended up on the neonatal unit. My lungs were very premature, so I ended up being ventilated and then on CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) to help my lungs get stronger. I needed feeding up and I was eventually allowed to go home when I was a bit stronger.
“It was a very surreal feeling to be spending my birthday on the ward that looked after me 20 years ago and to be working with nurses and nursery nurses that fed me and changed my nappies! I also feel lucky to be in the position I am to be able to come back and work alongside the amazing professionals that make a difference to families every day. I was really excited to go back there on my placement and possibly meet some of the staff that cared for me 20 years ago.”
Jess’s mum Sarah Jones, said: “I am so grateful that Jess is able to give something back and be proof to families on the neonatal unit that there is hope for little premature babies. I am beyond proud of Jess and always will be so thankful to all the staff on the neonatal unit.”
Jess’s dad, Simon Jones, added: “I’m so proud of Jess and everything she has and continues to achieve, I’m thankful that Jess is in a position as a student nurse to be on the unit. After all it’s down to them that Jess is here and healthy. It’s very surreal, but yes we are just so proud.”
Shirley Wildgoose, recently retired neonatal nurse, who cared for Jess when she was on the unit 20 years ago said: “It is a blessing that Jess decided to train in order to be a nurse and care for infants as she was cared for 20 years ago, I would like to wish her luck and I am sure she will be an asset to the profession.”
Julia Austin, nursery nurse said: “It is lovely to see Jess grow into a lovely young woman and play a part in her choice of career by caring for her 20 years ago. I worked alongside her mum when she was a midwife and now I am honoured to now work alongside her daughter as she trains to be a nurse.”
Jess added: “For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a children’s nurse, my mum, auntie and grandma are all nurses too – so I guess you could say it runs in the family. However, I’m the only one that has gone into paediatrics and I genuinely couldn’t see myself doing anything else!”
Pictured below: left to right: Deb Weaver, (Ward Manager); Julia Austin; Sarah Jones (Jessica’s mum); Jessica Jones; Shirley Wildgoose and Sharon Foreman.
