A Journey From NICU Parent to NICU Nurse

For many nurses, the path to their profession is marked by a defining moment, an experience that ignites a calling to care for others. For Melissa Champagne, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse at Terrebonne General Health System, that moment came in the most personal way possible: through the birth of her own children.

A Calling Born From Experience

In 2021, Melissa Champagne's first daughter arrived early at 34 weeks. Fragile and sick, the baby was intubated and spent an entire month in the NICU before coming home on oxygen. At that time, the thought of her becoming a nurse, much less a NICU nurse, seemed unimaginable. Champagne focused on being home with her children until 2024, when she decided to return to school to be a nurse. During nursing school, she had her third baby, who was also born a month early and needed NICU care. Witnessing once again the expertise, compassion, and dedication of the NICU team opened her eyes to the possibility of becoming a NICU nurse.

Finding Meaning in the NICU

Today, what she finds most meaningful about NICU nursing is the deep trust families place in her and her colleagues. "We're caring for someone's most precious gift during the most vulnerable time of their lives," she says. Having been in the shoes of NICU parents, she empathizes with the tears, fears, and hope that accompany each bedside watch.

One of her favorite moments is witnessing a mother hold her baby for the very first time. That experience carries special weight, since she didn't get to hold her own daughter until over a week after her birth. She knows just how powerful and healing that first embrace can be.

More Than Just Baby Care

Many people assume NICU nurses only focus on the medical care of fragile newborns. While that is central to their role, much more is involved. "NICU nurses don't just care for the babies—we care for the families too," Champagne explains. From teaching and comforting to guiding parents through unfamiliar territory, the role blends critical care with emotional support in profound ways.

Proud Moments That Matter

Although Champagne is new to the field, beginning as a nurse extern in January 2025, she's already witnessed unforgettable milestones. Melissa's proudest moment so far was seeing a baby born extremely early grow strong enough to finally go home after more than a month in the NICU. It was just as moving to watch the baby's parents grow in confidence, transforming from being too nervous to touch their newborn to fully participating in their care. As a parent who once felt that same fear, she now encourages families to connect with their babies as much as possible. She reminds them that even the smallest, gentlest touch matters, helping parents bond and babies thrive.

Full Circle

Champagne’s story is one of resilience, compassion, and coming full circle. From a mother anxiously standing at her baby's NICU bedside to a nurse now standing beside other parents in their most challenging moments, it's a reminder that sometimes the most difficult chapters of our lives prepare us for a purpose greater than we ever imagined.