AUSTIN, Texas — With this week being "Nurse Appreciation Week" and Mother's Day right around the corner, we want to introduce you to a unique mother-daughter duo.
Dina Reyes' daughter spent her first moments in the NICU. Decades later, they're side by side, working together.
Dina Reyes gave birth to her daughter, Isabelle, 25 years ago. But Isabelle Reyes came early and embarked on a weeks-long NICU stay.
"When she was born, my husband and I were like, scared. We don't have any really family here," Dina Reyes said.
Her personal and professional life both changed.
"I thought to myself, 'Well, I've been an adult nurse taking care of adults. I need to learn how to take care of my own child. And maybe NICU is the best way to do it,'" she said.
As she grew up, Isabelle Reyes would see her mom in action. And when it was time for her to choose a career, it was a no brainer.
"I've always had a lot of feelings about caring for others and giving back to my community, and I feel like nursing is the best way to make that happen," Isabelle Reyes said.
So when Texas Children's brought a hospital to Austin, it opened an opportunity for this mother-daughter duo.
"We look at this like we want to work there. And she's like, 'Mom, let's do it.' I said, 'This will be the day we work together as nurses and it will be awesome,'" Dina Reyes said.
Isabelle Reyes said coming from the NICU herself and having her mom so close by added a layer of comfort.
"It makes me more aware of how to and better communicate with my patients," Isabelle Reyes said.
And the two even get to have some fun with each other at work.
"Before it's just like, 'Mom, when it gets serious, I don't want to call you mom, OK? I want to be calling you with with your first name.' I said, 'Go right ahead. And as soon as you say, I'm a mom, I'm like, see, you can help it,'" Dina Reyes said.
They bring each other comfort, as they do the same for their patients.