This is Sue. She works as a Registered Nurse
“I don’t think there was anything that could have prepared us for something of this magnitude, barring history and the previous pandemic. I think it goes without saying that this is a very challenging time – dealing with an emerging disease and changing information on a daily basis, the worry and fear that our loved ones will “catch” something from us, and the terrifying thought of a PPE shortage are all major stressors.
I’ve been experiencing a kaleidoscope of emotions at work, ranging from frustration to hopefulness, and from melancholy to “it will be okay.”
Some days are much harder than others, but I keep reminding myself that I need to keep on going. Small wins and positive outcomes make hope just that more tangible and within reach. I am just taking it one day at a time, and trying my best.
COVID-19 has definitely changed my perspective on a lot of things, but most importantly, I have realized my own privileges in accessing resources and services. Oftentimes, I would take communication or physical interaction for granted – I never knew just how much I would miss it.
That sense of connection and human interaction, no matter how fleeting, is something that I will always treasure from here on out.
Being on the frontlines of the pandemic has definitely solidified my love for nursing, as well as helped me to gain a greater appreciation for my fellow colleagues in the hospital!
I know that this will be a turning point for many – the discourse has started about the under-looked sectors of the current healthcare system and the disparities and barriers that prevent vulnerable populations from accessing health care services. Not to mention, while the concept of distancing is great – what about those who do not have a safe place to self-isolate themselves? Those experiencing homelessness or abuse and violence? I am hoping that these conversations gain momentum and we seriously start to consider what changes we would like to see because it is clear that there are many gaps to our services and resources.”
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