Kate Lanoue adores children. That is apparent not only in her work as a neonatal nurse practitioner but as a mother to five kids, ages 7 to 17. And just as her job in the NICU requires her to be a source of caring and compassion, when she gets home to her family, she takes her role as “mom” just as seriously.
What are your duties as a neonatal nurse practitioner?
I work for Pediatrix, and our team is contracted at several hospitals in Jacksonville, Florida, to care for term and preterm infants in the NICU and newborn nursery. I work 16-hour or 24-hour shifts and am responsible for the daily management of and care for infants, as well as attending deliveries as needed.
What made you want to go into such a high-stress profession?
My passion for nursing was always in critical care because of the advanced nursing and problem-solving skills needed to be successful. The NICU was a natural fit for me because I have always enjoyed babies. It is an incredibly rewarding role in which I am a key member of the team and gain a lot of satisfaction from being able to have a strong voice and advocate for one of the most vulnerable populations.
The most enjoyable part of being a mom is hearing my kids laugh and seeing them smile.
Kate Lanoue
Neonatal nurse practitioner & mother of five
Given the high-stress environment, how do you keep your emotions in check at work?
My role at work is incredibly stressful at times, but in most cases is also incredibly rewarding. The key for me is to always try to focus on the bigger picture and the outcomes we are trying to achieve — a healthy baby that is discharged to a loving family.
I am tasked with needing to keep my emotions grounded for the sake of not only the babies but for the family members. I need to be a source of comfort and reassurance when they are handling a lot of unknowns and facing a very stressful situation.
Having a great team that is always available as a support system is also key. I always find comfort in discussing a rough shift with a coworker; having a sounding board is incredibly beneficial in this role.
How are you able to separate your work life from your home life and role as a mother?
I know when I walk away from the hospital that one of my other coworkers is taking care of the babies and families just as I would. I am able to step away and concentrate on myself and my own family. As a nurse, I am not sure you are ever capable of not worrying or thinking about cases at the hospital, but knowing that the oncoming care team is going to do an amazing job makes stepping away much easier.
How has your role as a mom affected how you approach your job, and vice versa?
My role as a mom has definitely impacted my role as a nurse practitioner. I have had the experience of having a baby in the NICU [Cash, her second oldest, developed a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) after delivery], and I know how incredibly scary and unnerving it can be. I pray that I can be a source of comfort for all my families and help them to adjust to a period in their lives that is most always unexpected and unfamiliar. I want to always have the time to communicate clearly and have as many conversations as needed to ease their discomfort.
My role as a nurse practitioner has changed my outlook on parenting and the things I choose to focus on. I have had the unfortunate experience of seeing families in the worst grief and in incredibly hard situations. Knowing the circumstances that some face has been beneficial for me in my own life because it allows me to step back and see that some of the small issues that seem to be catastrophic as a mom really are just minor bumps in the road that might mean you just need to take a different path. I have been able to take a few breaths and remember what I want the final outcome to be in my children’s lives: to be healthy, happy, and productive citizens.
What do you enjoy most about being a mom?
The most enjoyable part of being a mom is hearing my kids laugh and seeing them smile. I can be having an incredibly challenging day, but they always seem to make it better when I see them happy and living their best lives.
What part of motherhood do you find the most challenging?
The most challenging part of motherhood for me is letting my children make mistakes so that they can learn how to cope with failure and overcome it. I would love to swoop in and save them every time I see them making choices that are not what I would choose or think is their best option, but I want them to be independent and learn that it’s OK to fail as long as you can make a plan to correct it.
What special “mom” skills do you possess?
My special mom skill is that I see every child as their own person and try to respect their different personalities and choices. I am a firm believer that it is hard with large families to “blanket parent” every child the same. I have come to appreciate how different our five are and embrace the different ways that I have to reach each of them.
What special things do you do for your kids to let them know they’re your top priority?
I think our children know that they are my top priority because I am always available for them, even when I am not physically home. Although I work and carve out time for myself each day to exercise, they know that if they need me, I will rearrange my calendar to make room for them. I never let a day go by without asking about their day and saying I love you.
