Teamwork and Collaborative Leadership Lesson

When Florence goes into labor, her partner, Tom, tries to call Riann. However, the call is redirected to a nurse who explains that Riann is tied up with an emergency at the hospital and that they should come in for a labor assessment.

When they arrive at the hospital, Riann is there to meet them. She introduces herself, apologizes for not being able to meet with Florence and Tom earlier and thanks them for coming into the hospital for an assessment.

The whole family appears unsettled and upset. “We just thought that she would get to meet you before our baby came…” Tom remarks. He looks downwards. Florence is looking down too. She is quiet but appears upset. The aunts and women in the room are all sitting close to Florence. One aunt says, "We were expecting to meet you before Florence went into labor."

Riann explains that she has other patients in the hospital who need urgent care that she could not leave. She acknowledges that this impacts Florence's confidence  and plans for a vaginal delivery. She apologizes sincerely. Riann then assures Florence and her family that she has read Florence’s chart and received all the information about her pregnancy from Tasmin in a handover before Tasmin left. She explains that she and Tasmin had an in-depth discussion regarding Florence’s birth wishes, cultural values, and plan for family involvement, and that she is supportive of these wishes.  

This conversation puts Florence more at ease. She feels more relaxed now that she has met her new provider and is confident that she has Riann's support to birth with her family around.