Belinda Williams, a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Health Care of Atlanta, was having a quiet dinner out with a friend last October when they heard a commotion at a nearby table. A woman yelled: “My baby’s not breathing!” An ambulance was called, but Williams and her friend, a respiratory therapist, decided time was critical for the unresponsive baby with blue lips and no pulse. Williams stepped in to open the boy’s airways, while her friend started compressions. Learning that the baby had been sick with a fever and vomiting, Williams and her friend administered CPR. By the time the ambulance arrived, the baby had regained consciousness. Once the baby was safely en route to the hospital, the restaurant erupted in applause for Williams and her friend. The restaurant manager picked up their dinner tab and promised he’d abide by these two heroes’ request and buy an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the establishment.
Williams has been a nurse for five years, the last four at Children’s Health Care of Atlanta. She previously worked as a post-partum registered nurse at Northside Hospital.
Here’s our question-and-answer session with Williams.
Q: What’s your education background?
A: Received my Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) from the University of North Georgia
Q: Answer this question: I got into nursing because …
A: I wanted to be like my grandmother who was a nurse. She always helped people at work and in her community.
Q: The best part of my job is …
A: I feel like I make a difference every time I come to work. Not many professions can you say that about. I love what I do so it never feels like a job – more so a purpose.
Q: The most challenging part of my jobs is…
A: Working in any critical care environment can have its challenges and be difficult for us, the parents, and the patients. No parent expects to visit our unit; sometimes, the most challenging part is getting them transitioned to our unit.
Q: How do you handle stress?
A: I try to put a positive spin on things, but, sometimes, I have to take a moment to take some deep breaths.
Q: What do you do for outside fun?
A: I love to travel, shop, and hang out with family and friends.
Q: What’s a piece of advice you’d give to a new nurse?
A: Use every day as an opportunity to learn. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and know that what you do is appreciated.
Q: Can you describe one of your most meaningful days as a nurse?
A: I am a cancer survivor, so the first time I had a patient that was dealing with this diagnosis, I was able to be there with encouragement and hope. It made everything worthwhile.
The Belinda Williams file
Age: 42
Employed by: Children’s Health Care of Atlanta
Title: RN in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Family: proud aunt to six nephews and two nieces
Outside interests: traveling, shopping and hanging out with family and friends
