Robynn Petrain, RN: A Lifelong Commitment to Compassionate Care

For more than 20 years, Robynn Petrain, RN, has been a dedicated labor and delivery nurse at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. Her passion for science and the human body began in high school when an anatomy and physiology class sparked her interest in healthcare. But beyond science, Robynn has always been a deeply compassionate person. 

“Whether it’s brightening someone’s day through acts of service or lending a hand to someone in need, I truly enjoy caring for people in any way I can,” Robynn shares. “I chose nursing as a career, but truly, it is just a part of who I am.” 

Finding a calling in labor and delivery 

Robynn didn’t start her nursing career in labor and delivery. As a new graduate nurse, Robynn spent two years on a cardiac/telemetry unit and was looking for a change and applied for a position at The Birth Place. She was hired – and never looked back.  

“Being part of the team at The Birth Place has helped mold me into the nurse and woman that I am today,” Robynn says.  

Robynn finds great joy in supporting women and families during one of life’s most defining moments. She is passionate about empowering women, helping them discover their inner strength, and blending science, shared decision-making, creativity, and autonomy into her practice. 

The ups and downs of labor and delivery  

 While welcoming new life into the world is a joyous and rewarding experience, Robynn says one of the biggest challenges she faces as a labor and delivery nurse is being able to have compassion and empathy while also allowing space to protect your heart.  

“There are many difficult aspects of this job that people don’t often talk about—complex social situations, unexpected losses, and outcomes that don’t always go as planned,” she explains. “If you focus only on the hardships, it’s easy to become hardened, burnt out, and jaded.” 

During these hard moments, Robynn is able to put herself in the parents’ shoes and know that they are relying on her to provide compassionate care. Her co-workers and colleagues also offer support and motivation when things are tough.  

Through the hard moments, Robynn remembers the happy and rewarding times too. Robynn recalls one family that she was able to care for through the birth of two of their children. “I was able to care for them during their most difficult times and again during a very joyous and healing time,” says Robynn, “They have left an imprint on my heart, and I will carry their story with me.”  

A career rooted in community 

Robynn was first introduced to Southern NH Health during a clinical rotation during her undergraduate program at Rivier University in Nashua, NH. Having spent her whole career at SNHH, Robynn shares, “I love the fact that we are a small community hospital that focuses on caring for the whole patient. It’s a great feeling seeing people in the community that you have cared for, and they remember you.” Robynn also enjoys that Southern New Hampshire Medical Center is a teaching hospital, “We are all a team and we’re all learning together.”  

A changing nursing field  

Over the course of her more than two-decade career, a lot has changed in nursing. One change that sticks out the most to Robynn is the initiation of EMR (electronic medical records). “I remember having to hand write all my nursing notes at the end of my shift and how difficult it was to read the physicians' notes to learn what was going on with your patient,” says Robynn. While EMR might not be perfect, Robynn says she cannot imagine nursing or healthcare without it.  

Advice to the next generation of nurses 

For those entering the nursing profession, Robynn offers this advice: 

“Nursing is not for the faint of heart—it will challenge you physically, emotionally, and mentally. But it is also the most rewarding decision I have ever made.” 

She encourages future nurses to pursue continuous learning, cultivate compassion and empathy, stay humble, and be prepared for anything. And she reminds them always to have these five essential tools: 

• A stethoscope 

• Scissors 

• Tape 

• A pen 

• A caring heart 

A legacy in nursing  

Robynn believes nursing has reinforced a powerful truth: we only get one life, and striving for health and wellness allows us to fully experience it. 

“It’s an honor to be present for people’s most vulnerable moments and to care for them,” she reflects. “I have grown into myself through this career, and I hope I have embodied what a nurse should be—kind, compassionate, empathetic, smart, an advocate, fearless, tireless, and always a friend.” 

Learn more about nursing opportunities with Southern New Hampshire Health here.