Celebrating Nurses With A Day in the Life of a Labor and Delivery Hero at JFK Memorial

It's Nurse Appreciation Week, a time to recognize the essential work nurses do in our communities. At the heart of this year’s spotlight is Valeria Arredondo, a labor and delivery nurse at JFK Memorial Hospital, whose dedication shines through every shift. NBC Palm Springs' Brett Rosen went behind the scenes at the hospital to get a firsthand look at what it means to be a nurse in one of the most emotional and fast-paced environments—labor and delivery.

A new life was born. Baby Luka, born at 9:34 a.m. in the maternity and pediatrics ward. Valeria shared reflections on her role and responsibilities. “I was just so glad that everything went okay because it was my first time by myself,” she recalled about her first solo delivery. “There’s just a lot of things we have to remember as nurses in labor and delivery. Like making sure you start your pitocin so they don’t bleed too much. Make sure that the leg doesn’t fall on the doctor. It’s just a bunch of little things.”

Valeria explained that labor and delivery nurses are by the mother’s side from beginning to end—often more than the doctors themselves. “We’re there with the patients up until that baby’s head is basically out, and then we call the doctor,” she said. “Then we take care of them afterward and make sure that they’re okay.”

Nursing isn’t a 9-to-5 job. Labor and delivery nurses typically work three 12-hour shifts per week, and the pace can change at a moment’s notice. “It can go from 0 to 100 really quickly,” she said. “One minute you’re helping a mom reposition to help with labor, and the next, someone’s rushed in needing an emergency C-section.”

Despite the stress and unpredictability, Valeria finds deep fulfillment in her work. “I genuinely enjoy what I do. I’ve always known I wanted to do labor since high school. I still have that little spark. I just love building those connections with the moms.”

Nurse Appreciation Week runs through Monday. So if you see a nurse this week—whether at a hospital, clinic, or out in the community—be sure to offer a heartfelt thank you. For more information tune into NBC Palm Springs