Congratulations to Runner-Up winner Katherine H. from Woodridge, Illinois
COVID-19 seemed to sweep across the country like wildfire. Until now in our long-term care settings and hospitals we worried about influenza and Noro virus popping up and spreading. I heard of this mostly when Italy was affected and wondered what we would do if it came here. I found a few things changed. Appreciation for teamwork, conserving supplies and spending time with the patient and communicating with family.
Nurses have always relied on each other for getting their tasks completed. Almost like in wartime we now need to see that there is clear understanding and total trust in each other. Our lives depend on it. New respect for safeguarding supplies so that hoarding of the masks and gloves does not occur. Taking care of the shields that protect us as they will be used in the long term now. Allowing time to face time or hold the phone, initiate the window visits so family can be there for their final goodbyes. The difference between being able to be there and say goodbye and talk about what life meant to them at the end is a priceless gift. Even if they are on a phone in the parking lot and the nurse holds the phone until the end there is a connection that we likely did not have to deal with before. Being there for the whole family was so important. So, this new virus swept in and totally changed our lives. In some ways it brought we as nurses, patients, and families together. We appreciate the moment we are in. We realize what we have is good enough and to share and use it completely. We are thankful for a vaccine and have hope it works and we realize what an honor it is to be in people’s lives in such an intimate way.
Winners were selected by a panel of independent judges: Margarita Bermudez, the Manager of Professional Training and Healthcare Services at Alzheimer’s Los Angeles; Leigh Ellen Key, Executive Director for Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, South Texas and Louisiana/Mississippi Chapters; and Kelly Sparks, a retired CWOCN from Dignity Health. Click here to learn more.
