Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1307977
Thomas Bennett, RN, BSN, CMSRN CRITICAL CARE CENTER PIH Health Whittier Hospital Looking back on this year, what have been the biggest changes in your practice? Having only just transitioned into my role in critical care this year, am I allowed to say "everything"?! I am thankful for the patience and understanding of my beautiful and long-suffering wife as I've navigat- ed the challenges of stepping into a new role during a pandemic. Tell us about the most inspirational thing you've experienced as a nurse during this pandemic. One particularly busy shift began with one of my patients coding three times before 9 a.m. Another nurse, who wasn't even scheduled to work on the COVID-19 unit that day, went above and beyond to support my patient's family, who were unable to be at the bedside. This nurse carried a family member's smartphone into the room so they could see their loved one a last time. When we couldn't get the device to connect, a veteran respiratory therapist pulled out their own phone to enable the video call. It was a very moving experience. My patient died within the hour, but I am forever grateful to these other professionals who made that final connection possible. What nonmedical support from family, friends or the general public has been most appreciated? Burritos! Seriously, we've been so grateful for the many people and businesses who've donated food for staff on the closed- cohort units. How have you grown as a nurse since you started work- ing in this profession? As a nurse, I have become more aware of both the joy that comes with recovery and the deep sadness that comes with decline and death. I hope this makes me a more compassion- ate and effective caregiver. November 9–December 14, 2020 Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com 23 Ricardo Alan De Barros, RN, BSN TELEMETRY UNIT Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, Valencia Looking back on this year, what have been the biggest changes in your practice? This year has been an eye- opener when it comes to car- ing for other people, showing me what empathy really means: not only being able to put myself in someone's posi- tion, but also to connect on a deeper level with a patient. At the same time, we were all scared of this new disease, and had to quickly learn and adapt to the constant changing CDC COVID-19 guidelines. Tell us about the most inspirational thing you've experienced as a nurse during this pandemic. A father and son who were both very sick with the virus, and the father responded to treatment much quicker than his son did. My colleagues and I were afraid that the son would not have the strength to beat COVID-19. The father prayed for his son every day. Thankfully, after weeks of treatment, the son pulled through and was able to call his father on the phone to tell him he was going to be okay. His father had tears in his eyes. I will never forget those two men and their fight. What nonmedical support from family, friends or the general public has been most appreciated? The support from the commu- nity has really made me and my colleagues feel loved. Local high schools wrote cards with motivational quotes. Community groups and local restaurants donated meals. The kindness that the community showed us is something I hope to be able to give back one day. How have you grown as a nurse since you started working in this profession? I have grown in more ways than I could have imagined. This year has taught me to adapt, persevere and value life more than previously. This includes looking at every patient as if they were my family member and doing whatever I can to make their illness and loneli- ness more bearable.