Heather’s Passion for ICU Nursing

“I always wanted to work in medicine. My great aunt was a nurse. My dad was also sick when I was a child and I always just wanted to help him,” Heather Micco, RN at Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital shares.

Heather worked as a post-anesthesia care unit nurse prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. But when the opportunity arose to work in the intensive care unit (ICU), she didn’t think twice. In fact, the ICU is where she first began her nursing journey and found her passion.

“It was my first love and home for many years. … I fell back in love with critical care and asked if they had a position for me. When they said yes, I never looked back. I felt like I was home,” she shares.

In May 2021, Heather received a DAISY Award. A nurse leader submitted a nomination after Heather recorded a mother’s heartbeat before she passed away in the hospital. Heather put the recording in a stuffed animal so that the mother’s baby could have it forever.

Heather went above and beyond for this patient and her family. Additionally, everyone is motivated by Heather’s compassion for the critically ill as well as their families.

“I become very emotional every time I think about this award,” Heather reveals. “This, to me, is the most honorable award a nurse can receive. I am humbled and honored.”

As a mother of two girls herself, she had empathy for this mother and her daughter.

“The reason I received this award is even more emotional for me. Her sweet, precious daughter will never know how much her mother loved her, but hopefully she will have the sound of her heartbeat forever.”

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