Every now and again, we meet a person who impacts our lives in our most exposed times. When that person treats us with compassion and humanity, they stick with us the rest of our lives. Nurse Jackie Haberstroh has been that person for Cincinnati.
Working at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in whichever Intensive Care Unit is needed, Jackie has supported those most in need. Lucky for our city, she is the exact person you would want to be at your side, watching over your loved ones during recovery or critical care. Her strength to experience daily the stress of her job and yet to still come home to be a doting, present, single mother of two is simply inspiring.
How long have you worked at Children’s Hospital?
I have worked at Cincinnati Children’s since August 2001, so approximately 17 years. I am a Registered Nurse and work in SRU, which is the Specialty Resource Unit. Basically, I am a jack of all trades for every inpatient unit in the hospital. I am trained to go to any unit from the Emergency Department, general care and to all three Intensive Care Units and can care for any patient.
I mostly work in the cardiac ICU and orient/precept the new SRU nurses to that unit. I am their last stop before they are completely finished with their intense orientation. I’m the last preceptor, for them, in a very intense and scary unit to most of them. I have to ensure that they are ready to fly and give them to confidence that they can handle any situation.
How did you know this was the job you wanted to do? When did you decide not just in being a nurse but also in being a nurse working with the worst situations?
I have known that I wanted to be a nurse since I was about five years old. My biological father was hit while on a motorcycle and I have very vivid memories of that time and of the nurses caring for him. I remember their compassion and how much I wanted to be just like them. There was never a question for me. I remember receiving a nurse doll while visiting him. A soft, plush doll with pink, yarn hair and a white nurses uniform – I was hooked.
Deciding to become a nurse was easy. Deciding to become a fully trained SRU Nurse that floated to every ICU, was a little scary. It’s one thing to be outside looking in but to be fully involved in somebody’s worst nightmare come true at times is humbling. I had the skills and the heart, I was put on this Earth for this, I know it. It was never really a question to decide upon, it was a calling.
How do you manage to balance being a mom and working your schedule?
Balancing work and being a single mom is difficult. I work 12 hour days, 3 times a week. I don’t have holidays or weekends off and usually, end up working longer than my shift.
I miss out on a lot sometimes. I do my best. I make my own schedule and try to plan for days that my children are off school or if there is a field trip. A lot of times my schedule is made months before I know these things so as co-workers, we help each other out. We all understand, so if we can help one another, we do. I try my best to be there for everything that I can be.
What are some of the lessons your profession is teaching your kids?
My children are learning that I often see people on their worst days. They know sometimes I come home crying. They see the pain I can’t really show fully at work. They are learning compassion. They are learning other children don’t always get to experience life the way we hope they do; that material things are not the most important. I have really tried to share with them everyone is different and special and deserves respect. It doesn’t matter the color of their skin, what they wear, where they live, how they speak or any other numerous things… you treat people the way you would want to be treated, with love and compassion.
I saw this especially shining through my youngest. She won an award in Kindergarten. In short, it was because how she interacted with special needs children. She treated them with such love and guidance, without thought. She would hold heir hands to and from the buses, help them during class, encourage, and guide them. She accepted them without thought. I knew I did something right when she stood up for one of these friends when another student was making fun of the special needs child. She would not stand for it. I couldn’t have been more proud.
If you could look over all the experiences that your profession has taught you, what advice would you give to moms?
My advice for new moms: we all think we are doing it wrong at some point. Be easy on yourself, you’re doing a great job. Kids don’t come with directions. Do what works for you. Don’t worry about what somebody else is doing. If it works for you and your family, that’s all that matters!
My advice for moms of toddlers: bumper pads! Toddlers are so injury prone, especially new walkers. They are learning to control those little bodies and they are definitely going to fall down, hit their head and get many boo-boos. This is normal! It gets better. No, we won’t immediately think you’re hurting your toddler if we see you in the emergency department. They are accident prone and you’re still a great mom.
Moms of tweens/teenagers… Heck, who has advice for me? I’m almost there. From things I’ve seen, you just need to be supportive, listen to them. Be there. Make them feel safe to talk to you about anything. Set boundaries, they really do want them even if they don’t act like it.
Since becoming a mom, how has it changed your view on being a nurse?
Once you’re a nurse and a mom, things definitely change. You have another viewpoint you didn’t have before. On one side we know entirely too much, which can make us go crazy with worries and worst case scenerios. Then there’s the connection you feel towards the parents/families. You know what its like to basically have your heart outside your body. You understand their fears. Becoming a mom has only helped me become a better nurse. I don’t just have one patient (the child); I have the family also. It’s Family-Centered Care.
Who inspires you?
There are so many people. I absolutely love hearing about people who help others. People who have overcome struggles or were just a plain good human being. I love watching Ellen. Seriously I don’t think I can get through a show where she helps someone or praises another person who has done something to help another person without those happy tears. Love it.
Then there’s always the kids I see at work. Seriously, they’re incredible. Kids are amazing! They can go through things, handle things that no adult could ever handle the way they can. And a lot of times, with a smile! Little miracles every day. The days when you know you made a difference in their lives, makes me want to do even more. The hugs, coloring pages, and crafts that they proudly hand over to you. There are no words.
On my hardest days, I only have to think of them and I know I can get through.
What is your motivation to get up and go after experiencing tragedy?
Tragedy at work happens. Every nurse handles it differently. In a way knowing there’s another patient that needs me keeps me going. I can’t allow myself to fully feel every emotion during those moments because I have a job to do. Those emotions can cripple you. I have to be there. It’s not that you won’t show emotion or won’t have tears. Most of us try to hold on to deal with the emotional roller coasters privately and respectfully away from the tragedy. Many cars see many tears some days.
Do you have any go-to tricks to be able to balance all that needs to be done as a working mom?
I just try to stay as organized as possible! Just like any mom, we are often pulled in so many different directions that we can easily feel overwhelmed. I keep my schedule updated on my google calendar. I keep things color-coded and share it with the family involved. I plan my schedule around my children so I can go to the dance practices, art classes, and school activities.
I use Amazon Echo to check on my kids at any time while I’m at work. That thing is amazing!! Drop in at any time and they can contact me through it. It’s super helpful to check on them without them realizing, also. I can see them and make sure they are doing what needs to be done. And of course, an army of friends and family to help back me up. I couldn’t do it without all of them.
Jackie was recently awarded Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s October Employee of the Month. Well deserved, Jackie. Thank you for all you do for our children and our city. It is truly our luck to have such a compassionate, experienced nurse nearby for our emergencies. Thank you, also, to her two girls for lending the city their mother to help heal the pain of others.
Jackie haberstroh is pretty amazing women and deserves the best of everything, She is pretty amazing and so are her children. I am glad that she has been acknowledged as such and hope she can realize she is loved and appreciated and even if she gets 1% back from what she puts her all into then she will have blessed life and pass down her legacy that has inspired many around her…..
I love that you posted this about her! She has helped so many of the children in Cincinnati and who come to Cincy for care. Her job is one that not many of us have the heart to do and yet does it daily and proudly. We are so lucky to have her in our city. Thank you so much for the comment – she deserves this praise.