Vanessa Kennedy has seen her share of changes in her 45-year career as a Studer Family Children’s Hospital NICU nurse based in Pensacola, FL, but the constant throughout has been her passion for helping families.
In 1979, Vanessa started as a unit secretary at the Children’s Hospital 10 years after it opened, working two part-time jobs while supporting herself through nursing school. When she graduated, she envisioned working in the NICU only for a couple of years.
“I originally wanted to practice geriatrics, but I fell in love with the babies and the NICU environment,” she said. “I soon learned working with babies was my calling.”
Over the years, she advanced from floor nurse to charge nurse. The NICU is a self-contained environment where families receive all the support they need to care for their premature babies. She felt fulfilled every time a preemie was strong enough to graduate from the floor, but she wanted to help them thrive and meet their best potential once they were home.
Vanessa found the opportunity to bridge care for infants and families in the community as a clinic nurse and later as a service coordinator for Early Steps of the Western Panhandle, an early intervention program that offers services to infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays. She said Early Steps gives her the opportunity to support parents as they build their confidence to help their children learn and develop.
Fast-forward 25 years, and Vanessa continues to serve Early Steps and the NICU ‒ home to the Pensacola region’s only level 3 NICU. She attributes her staying power to three Ps: “purpose, passion and parents.”
“I’m doing what I was born to do,” she said. “I enjoy seeing parents ‘get it’ because it’s more than just their baby gaining weight or making developmental gains, it is about the success of their families. I am honored to support them on their journey.”
Over the years, Vanessa’s commitment to the nursing profession has been recognized with the NICU Nurse of the Year in 1983, Undergrad Nurse of the Year in 2017, and graduated summa cum laude from UWF when she earned her bachelor’s nursing degree in 2018.
Fortunately for Pensacola families, Vanessa has no plans of retiring. “It is not an immediate consideration because I love what I do. The circle of care between the NICU and Early Steps offers a valuable service for families. I am only a small part of a group of amazing people who care for our community.”
For more information on Early Steps, visit www.earlystepsatsacredheart.org or call 850-377-9547.