Not only is Coriana a new nursing graduate, she cares for Connecticut Children’s most vulnerable patients: infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. But thanks to the support she receives from leadership and her fellow nurses, she’s feeling empowered, not intimidated.
Name: Coriana Farinella, BSN
Role: Registered Nurse, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Time at Connecticut Children’s: 6 months
Nursing Experience: 6 months
Connecticut Children’s Unique Advantages
What are the benefits of working at a hospital dedicated solely to the care of children?
You can do so many amazing things just for kids. It can be a scary place for children and for their families, but I think that because it’s just for children, we do a really great job at making it happier if you will.
Is the Magnet® designation important to you?
Working for a Magnet® designated hospital was definitely something that was important to me when I was doing the interview process. Part of the reason why I made this choice is that I know Connecticut Children’s is dedicated to excellence in every single facet of our research and the things we do for our patients. Just so many different things that give us that distinction. So yes, it was important for me in making my decision.
Any other reasons you decided to work here?
It’s the first place I was like, wow, I can see myself staying here for more than just a year or two. I can see myself getting old here. The excitement that people who were interviewing me showed about the job, I just was like, I want that to be me. I want to be as happy as you guys are about this job.
A Fulfilling New Career
What do you find most rewarding about working at Connecticut Children’s?
I love that it’s just all about the kids. And then second, the people that I work with are some of the smartest people I know, and they want to share that knowledge with me. And sometimes I just can’t even believe it. I feel myself like a sponge, soaking up that knowledge and being passionate about the job, just the way that they are.
What do you love most about your job?
There’s no greater joy than letting parents hold their baby for the first time. I think that feeling is completely unmatched and it’s the reason why I get up every day and want to go to work.
Caring for Kids (And Families)
What’s it like working in the NICU?
There are so many different things you can do, and no day is exactly the same as the day before. Everything is always changing. It’s a roller coaster. Some days are really good, some days are really bad. And then you have those in-between days. But overall, I feel like those good, special, amazing moments you have definitely outweigh all of the negative ones.
Any stories from the NICU that stick with you?
There were twins on the unit, one of which had just gone to a lower level of respiratory support where you can take a bottle. So I called his mother and I was like, I was wondering if you want to feed him his first bottle. And I was at the bedside, and she comes running in with all of her stuff. It honestly gives me goosebumps thinking about it. Just that there are so many days that you get to do something like that for a parent.
How do you work with parents?
I feel like it’s really important to collaborate with parents to give their child the best outcome that you possibly can. I go into every shift looking for a way I can help parents be more a part of the process of the care for their baby. You’re not just caring for this baby, you’re caring for their parents as well, and you want to help them feel like they have some sense of control.
Connecticut Children’s Culture
How would you describe the nursing culture here?
I feel like all the nurses I work with are leaders. They wear so many different hats, and it’s very admirable, the things that they do. So I’d say everyone that I work with is a leader.
You're a new nurse. Do you feel supported?
There are so many nurses who have so much knowledge, it’s so intimidating. But if you ask them for help, a hundred percent of the time, they’ll help you do whatever it is you need to do and bring it down to a level that you can understand. It’s just incredible to work with nurses who have so much experience, have so much knowledge, and they just want to share that with incoming new grad nurses. If I could say anything to anyone, it’s that you will be supported here at Connecticut Children’s.
Is there a lot of diversity at Connecticut Children's?
I do think Connecticut Children’s is a diverse culture. There are so many people with different backgrounds, different identities, if you will. And we’re all coming together as a part of a team to help our patients.
Career Growth and Goals
Do you see opportunities to grow your career at Connecticut Children’s?
The learning curve is steep and there’s still so many things I don’t know that I won’t know for years. But even from when I started to where I am now, I feel like the growth you can see is exponential. So I can’t wait to see where I go from here.
What are your career goals?
My career goals? Continue working here. I love this job. I wish I could shout that from the rooftops. I love this job so much I feel like I don’t need to do anything else to feel fulfilled. I just can’t imagine being anywhere else as a new grad nurse, learning and growing. This is the place that I want to be.