Graduating from Family Nurse Partnership: Paulina and Sean Share Their Story

The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a licensed programme that delivers intensive, tailored support to young first time parents and their children, in their own homes, by specially trained nurses from early pregnancy until their child reaches two. 

Paulina and Sean have recently graduated from FNP, as their little girl has turned 2 years old. They have both shared their experiences of the programme.

How did you first hear about FNP?

Paulina: I can’t remember! I think the midwife might have mentioned it but I didn’t know anything about it. Then a Family Nurse came to my home to give me more information before I decided whether I wanted to go ahead or not.

Sean: I didn’t know anything about it either.

Before you met your Family Nurse what did you think it might be about?

Paulina: I thought “What is this! Will they be monitoring me as a parent?” I wasn’t sure about it. I felt suspicious and that someone might be watching what I was doing.

Sean: Previously I had always had, not bad but neutral experiences of professionals, and so I didn’t expect very much from the programme and I wasn’t sure how involved I would be.

What helped you decide to enrol on the FNP programme?

Paulina: After I met my Family Nurse I felt reassured and that this was something I would like. I liked the thought of having someone that I would get to know well who would come out to my home regularly so that I can ask questions.

Was the programme what you expected?

Paulina: I really liked talking about what my little girl was doing and sharing how well she was progressing with her development, like when she said a new word.

Sean: I expected to talk about the physical stuff, like making sure we were feeding her properly and not feeding her rubbish and stuff like that. I didn’t expect to have the chance to talk about how to be a parent, and how the things that have happened to us growing up could affect us as parents which was really good.

Paulina: It’s been nice that we have both been included in the visits.

Sean: The programme was for both of us which was really good. Paulina was more interested in physical things, child development and how to feed our baby and that kind of stuff, whereas I was more interested in how to help support our child’s mental health. I remember from when Paulina first became pregnant quite often the professionals would want to see Paulina on her own, which I understand, so when the Family Nurse first came I wasn’t sure if I should even be there. It was really nice to have been at most of the visits as we are both parents after all.

Did anything surprise you about the programme?

Paulina: All the events that happened like the Christmas event and the Play Talk Read Bus which was really fun and a chance to meet other families who have a Family Nurse. It was great to get out of the house!

Sean: For me it was the personal aspect and a chance to think about ourselves and our childhoods and how this influences our parenting which was a good thing.

What have you appreciated the most?

Paulina: Housing advice was really helpful when we were looking for our own home as we didn’t know anything about that. My Family Nurse directed us towards the right people. I don’t think we would have managed to get our own place without that support.

Sean: The advice and reassurance. When we first got pregnant we were young and still living with Paulina’s parents. I was extremely nervous and I shared this with the Family Nurse. We talked about these things and I quickly realised I didn’t need to be nervous about the things after all. Then after our baby was born we worried all the time thinking “Shall we call the doctor”? But we talked to our Family Nurse instead who reassured us that these things were normal and OK.

What would you say to a friend who is expecting a baby and eligible for a Family Nurse?

Sean: You get to know your Family Nurse really well and form a relationship with them. It feels really safe to talk about your thoughts and experiences and so be as involved as you can so that you get the most from the programme.

Paulina: Our little girl loves the Family Nurse visits too. She is always waiting for her at the door as the Family Nurse always has something fun to do during the visit like painting or playing.