Meet the NICU nurses of Cohen Children’s Medical Center: A unit that’s unlike any other

It takes a special individual to have the passion to care for our smallest patients as a nurse in a unit that’s unlike any other. Registered Nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Cohen Children’s Medical Center are made for caring and protecting our patients and their families. It’s this commitment and heart of our nurses have bolstered Cohen’s reputation throughout the years.

“I had always heard Cohen’s had a great NICU and that it was the “ultimate” place to work,” says Gina Forlani, an RN who jumped at the chance to join the NICU team at Cohen. As a Magnet® hospital with a level 4 NICU, Cohen’s nurses are known for delivering the highest standard of care to its many patients.

Our nurses treat their patients with the individual attention they deserve, and this dedication that has earned Cohen a top 50 national ranking for exceptional care in eight pediatric specialties, according to US News & World Report’s 2018-19 Best Children’s Hospitals. Cohen has also recently reached a a major patient safety milestone – the hospital has maintained a zero infection rate for central-line associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) in its 57-bed NICU for more than one year.

And while caring for our smallest patients can be hard, it’s also incredibly rewarding. “I take pride in taking care of our small patients and making the families feel comfortable while their child is in the NICU,” says Gina, “Unfortunately it isn’t ideal for families to be in the NICU in the first place, but building trust and a good rapport with these families helps and provides in balance their life inside and outside of the hospital.”

Brianna Tarulli, another RN in Cohen’s NICU agrees, “Many of our babies are here for weeks and months. It is so rewarding when you can help a mother who is afraid to touch their baby transform into an empowered caregiver. It is amazing to see babies who are so small or sick get better and come back running down the hallway! It is a privilege to be a part of that!”

Support can also be found in Northwell’s Truly Together team. The nurses of the NICU are close-knit and help each other deliver the best care possible. “I love my co-workers,” says Gina, “This group of nurses works very well under tense and stressful situations. We are truly a team that sticks together.” Brianna feels the same way about this hardworking team of nurses, “As a nurse at CCMC, I am part of a fabulous team! I know no matter what I am walking into at the beginning of my shift that I have coworkers that will anticipate my needs before I can even verbalize them.”

This spirit of teamwork is only furthered by great leaders.  “Our nurse leaders are compassionate, caring and go above and beyond for patients and families,” says Brianna. Having leaders who empower their nurses helps them develop the skills they need to grow with their team. Gina also flourished under her mentors when she began her career with Northwell, “I was assigned to work with two amazing RN’s when I first started my career in the NICU at Cohen’s. They taught me patience and accuracy and how to best handle the sense of urgency and importance of our career.”

Great leaders are just one of the reasons that a career in Cohen’s NICU is a career that grows with you. “It’s a great place to work in regards to work/life balance, furthering your education, and getting your voice heard,” says Brianna. Nurses within Cohen’s NICU gain gain invaluable experience and leadership skills, along with continued learning opportunities.

And continued learning is a must in the NICU! Our nurses are constantly pushing Northwell’s value of being Truly Innovative. “We’re a Magnet hospital so there are always ways to be involved in improving care and making changes,” says Brianna, “It’s also important to keep an open mind and be willing to learn and discover. This is a rapidly advancing field and what we do today may be different tomorrow. Knowing the science behind your care helps to keep you informed!” By keeping our nurses trained on the latest technologies, such as a stabilization unit in the L&D, Northwell empowers them to redefine health care.

Join the passionate and powerful team in the NICU at Cohen Children’s Medical Center. Explore job opportunities today!